Salute to Service: BSU Celebrates Veterans Day

By Cidney Atcherson
Spectrum Staff Writer

Bowie State University hosted a Veterans Day conference and luncheon on Nov. 12 in the Student Center ballroom to acknowledge the fight and work of current and fallen military members.

Bowie State University Concert Choir soloists serenaded guests as they gathered in the ballroom. After the performance, a still silence fell over the room as a color guard walked to the front. Hearing the sounds of the color guard walking over and placing the flags had everyone at attention. After the placement of the flags, the Bowie State University Concert Choir sang “The Star Spangle Banner,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “America the Beautiful.”

A highlight of the program was a tribute to fallen U.S. Army soldiers. On a table were various items representing soldiers who gave the last full measure: salt represented tears and a chair leaned over represented the soldiers who would not have a meal.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle delivered the keynote address. From his speech, the audience heard about the importance of veterans. He talked about how it is important to appreciate the veterans in your life. One of the most memorable parts was when he acknowledged how he had not appreciated a veteran. It was a very deep and personal story that tied the speech together.

The event concluded with a memorable moment made caused many in the audience to shed shears: a tribute to Lt. Richard Collins III, a member of the Bowie State ROTC Bulldog Battalion, who was slain by a White student at the University of Maryland, in the days before his graduation in 2017. His parents, Rick and Dawn Collins, walked to the front of the ballroom and were applauded by the audience. It was a beautiful moment that nobody will ever forget.