Five female cadets in Clarion University’s Army ROTC program were formally pledged as members of the U.S. armed forces during the university’s second annual Veterans Day ceremony Thursday.
Aryn Beichner of Brookville, Jessica Kenny of New Jersey, Tyrima Malloy of Duquesne, Jessica Micco of New Castle and Celeste Pearce of Reynoldsville took the unbinding oath to serve and protect the nation.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Barta, a professor of military science at Clarion University, conducted the contracting ceremony. He remarked how the five cadets broke gender barriers and boundaries in the ROTC program.
Following the ceremony, keynote speaker Dan Smith, the director of academic planning at the university and a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, discussed the importance of recognizing those who have served, are serving or are family members of veterans.
“As we all know, elections were this Tuesday and we selected our next commander in chief of the United States,” Smith said. “As a veteran, this means not only that we will have a new president, but that we have a new leader for our armed forces.”
“Sometimes the military agrees with that selection and sometimes they don’t agree with that selection,” Smith said. “But the most important thing is that regardless of who is in office, the armed forces will continue to serve, without question.”
“Despite the concerns that we may have about whoever is in office, the hundreds of thousands of men and women who are serving our country will still put on their uniform, put aside their political views and put our nation first,” Smith said.
Smith concluded his speech by saying “I thank all those who have served for the sacrifices you have made for our freedom, for wanting to honor our nation, and for believing in something greater than yourselves.”
The ceremony concluded with the playing of Taps by Stephen Francis and music by the Lift Every Voice gospel choir.
Samuel Richardson, president of Clarion University’s Student Veterans Association, said he took pride in the amount of support and thanks that students, faculty and members of the community gave to Clarion veterans during the ceremony.
“It’s great how the university is reaching out and doing something as honorable as this ceremony,” Richardson said. “I am proud that I am able to be a part of it this year.”