Silver Wings Society to Host Veterans' Day Memorial

by Jodi Cunningham, student newswriter, (254) 710-1961

In honor of Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 11, the Silver Wings Society at Baylor University will host a Veterans Day Ceremony at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, by the flagpole on the east side of Pat Neff Hall.

The Air Force ROTC also will maintain a 24-hour vigil at the same location through 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10.

Dr. Steven Eisenbarth, associate dean and professor of electrical and computer engineering in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, will begin the ceremony with a speech about Veterans Day. In addition, the ceremony will feature the laying of a memorial wreath, retiring of the colors, singing of the national anthem and a moment of silence. All ROTC cadets will be present at the ceremony, which is open for anyone to attend.

Jack and Martha Whetsel will be honored as special guests at the ceremony. he Whetsels recently donated the lead gift for the new Lt. Jack Whetsel Jr. Basketball Practice Facility that is named in honor of their son. After his freshman year at Baylor, Lt. Whetsel enlisted in the military and planned to one day finish his degree at Baylor. Tragically, the 22-year-old Whetsel was killed in Vietnam. His parents believe that the basketball practice facility will help keep their son's legacy alive at Baylor.

The Silver Wings Society was created in 1952 as a national co-ed, professional support group of the Air Force ROTC program. The society seeks to create successful civic leaders through community service and leadership training activities and is dedicated to raising awareness of national defense issues. At Baylor, the Silver Wings Society hosts Cadet Appreciation Week, sends letters to cadets at field training and provides refreshments at ROTC events.

For more information on the ceremony, contact Vanessa Silva at (281) 455-9627 or by e-mail at Vanessa_Silva@baylor.edu.