By Justin Muszynski
Two CCSU student veterans, Joseph Lancaster and Ricky Lee Kitts, were presented with awards Friday, Veteran’s Day, in Alumni Hall, to honor the years that they served this country. Kitts, a senior, was presented with the Student Veteran Public service award and a Student Veteran Excellence Scholarship for $1000.
Lancaster, a sophomore, received the 2011 Great Elm VFW Post 9945 Wethersfield Scholarship.
Kitts, who enlisted in the Navy in 2003, grew up in Tennessee and served until August of 2008. He spent eight months in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served in Operation Enduring Freedom aboard the USS Essex. He is finishing his bachelor’s degree in geographic information science and is planning to graduate after this semester.
Lancaster was honorably discharged from duty on April 6, 2010 after serving for four years in the Marines. He is working on a bachelor’s degree in construction management and is the treasurer of the Veteran Student Organization.
During the ceremony, President Jack Miller also presented Gilbert Daniels with the 2011 Central Connecticut State University Veteran’s Service Award. Daniels is a veteran who served in World War II and the Korean War.
The master of ceremonies, Christopher Galligan, expressed his gratitude to those who have served their country.
“Veteran’s Day is a time to thank living veterans for their service, to show appreciation for their contributions to our national security, and to emphasize the fact that all those who served, not just those that died, have sacrificed and done their duty,” said Galligan, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
Eileen Hurst, associate director for the Center of Public Policy and Social Research at CCSU, also spoke at the ceremony thanking the veterans and telling everyone about the initiatives that the Veteran’s History Project is working on right now.
“This year we have two really big projects which require the help of the public so I’m hoping that some of you here today can help us out,” said Hurst. “The first initiative that we’re involved with is the National Call for Photos. The Veteran’s History Project here is trying to cooperate with everybody in the state to get all of Connecticut’s 612 men represented. The second initiative, we’re cooperating with the State Department of Veteran’s Affairs Commissioner Schwartz and we are going to give a special welcome home celebration this March 31st 2012 for all Vietnam vets in the state.”
Galligan also reminded the crowd how many veterans have served us and how many have given their lives for our freedom.
“America’s Armed Forces have always been prepared to defend our freedom and the freedom of others throughout the world,” said Galligan. “On Veteran’s Day we realize that we owe that privilege of living in a democracy to the many men and women who have defended this nation, many of whom gave their lives to ensure our freedoms. More than 1 million American service members died in the service of this country, and more than 1.4 million live with the wounds they suffered while fighting for us.”
Galligan closed by inviting everyone to visit the newly placed wreath in the student circle by the Student Veteran Appreciation Group. There were more than two dozen veterans from around the state present.
The ceremony concluded with CCSU students Ryan Vacca and Michael Vita playing “Taps” and the retiring of the colors by members of the Charlie Company First Battalion 102nd Infantry Army National Guard.