Joiya Stacks, Contributor
Members of the Kennesaw community gathered in the University Rooms in the Student Center on Monday, Nov. 10, to honor past and present members of the military for their service to the country.
This year’s Veterans Day Ceremony featured many noted speakers including President Daniel Papp, Chaplain Robert Certain and Chaplain Rabbi Albert Slomovitz. The Veterans Day Ceremony is held annually and KSU Army ROTC Club, KSU Semper Fidelis Society and KSU Veterans Club sponsored this year. The keynote speaker was Retired General Maria Britt.
Britt has had a very successful career spanning 28 years with the Army National Guard. She was one of the first females to graduate from United States Military Academy, West Point. She was also one of the first females to complete Jungle Warfare Training in Panama.
“It’s challenges in life that test us and define our character,” said Britt of this experience. Overcoming these challenges made Britt one of the first pioneers for women in the military.
When she joined the military women only made up 9.8 percent today that number has risen to 16 percent. It is because of her courage that Britt and women like her have paved the way for women in the military.
One of her most recent accomplishments happened in July when she was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by U.S Senator Johnny Isakson. Britt gave a brief presentation highlighting some of her experiences as a female pioneer in the military and also reminding the audience of the sacrifices made by the men and women stationed across the world for our nation’s freedom.
“To live here is a privilege paid for by Veterans and their families,” Britt told the audience.
Members of the audience were given American flags and were asked to place them at the Memorial of first Lt. J.P Walsh, an alumni of Kennesaw State University, in honor of his service. Lt. Walsh was killed while on duty in Afghanistan.
This act of remembrance shows why Kennesaw State University was recently voted one of the top schools for Veterans by the Military Times.
