Sam Dunaway | News Editor

While the long weekend brought sunshine and a break from classes, the Memorial Day holiday provided a time to reflect on the individuals that have passed away while serving in the military.

Sophomore business and psychology major Cole Hendren explained, “It’s just a day of appreciation to appreciate those who are out there fighting for our country and fighting for our rights.” Hendren is the current Communications Officer for the WOU Student Veterans Association.

Western’s SVA chapter honored the holiday in several ways. On May 19, a group of club members gathered at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon to clean the headstones of veterans. The club aimed to clean as many headstones as possible in preparation for visitors on Memorial Day.

“It was very humbling,” said Hendren, who participated in the headstone cleaning. “It was a very surreal experience.”

May 29 brought the third annual Memorial Day Banquet hosted by the club. One of SVA’s biggest events was made even bigger this year by keynote speaker and Student Veterans of America CEO and President Jared Lyon, who oversees nearly 1,500 SVA chapters across the nation. The banquet was open to all students and community members, regardless of involvement in the military, to honor Memorial Day.

Junior exercise science major and 2018-2019 club president Stephanie Mahoney believes that everyone should set aside some time to remember those who have died serving our country.

“I want people to know that aside from the BBQs, shopping sales, and all the other things that happen during Memorial Day, this day means something more,” explained Mahoney. “So take some time to understand and honor what this day is really about because those people that have died serving our country are someone’s family or friend and they are no longer here because of their sacrifice.”

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Caity Healy