Dear Colleagues,
Today is a special day and one that has significant meaning for many of us across our health system. Veterans Day is an annual reminder to reflect on the heroic sacrifices and service of those who have given so much to protect our country and our way of life.
Last night, I was honored to host a celebration recognizing those who are serving or have served in the military. In particular, we wanted to have a veterans event where we could interact with our current military health professions scholarship students (HPSP) enrolled in our medical school. These students volunteer to serve in the military after they complete medical school and residency. Most of our faculty veterans went through this program. Dozens of students, faculty and staff gathered at the Patient-Centered Care Learning Center to honor our current and former military service men and women. This is the first time we have done such a program, and we plan on this to be an annual celebration.
The University of Missouri Joint ROTC Color Guard led us in a flag ceremony and did a great job paying respect to our great flag and great nation. It is always humbling and inspiring to pause and reflect on the symbolism of our flag and the sacrifices it represents.
I was able to share a bit of my own military background as a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force.
I attended the School of Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and spent most of my Air Force years at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, though I spent a two-year deployment at Royal Air Force Alconbury in England as a general medical officer, which was a base for both fighter and reconnaissance squadrons. While in England, I took care of enlisted Air Force personnel and their spouses and children. It was a time of the “cold” war.
The closest I got to conflict were the many training exercises for chemical and nuclear war drills we had to perform. We trained to be ready but fortunately all was quiet during my service time.
I am joined here with Dr. Mark Wakefield and Dr. Gilbert Ross. Thank you both for your service.
I cherish my years of service in the Air Force. I spent nine years in active duty and then another 11 in the reserves before I retired in 2000. My service made me a better man and a better citizen. I was fortunate to serve in peace time. The real heroes we are celebrating today, of course, are those who served during times of war.
Veterans Day occurs today, on Nov. 11, due to the signing of the armistice that ended World War I, on the 11th month, on the 11th day, and at the 11th hour. Over the last century, our veterans have served around the world in many other conflicts, defining what the United States stands for, which in my mind, is freedom.
I now consider myself an “old” veteran. Our newer veterans, including more than 400 student veterans and over 1,000 military-connected students, as well as the other veterans among our faculty and staff at the university, have served during our current times of war and conflict. Our debt to them cannot be expressed in mere words.
It was great to meet so many students, faculty and staff who gathered to honor our current and former military service men and women.
Today at noon, we are hosting a special wreath-laying ceremony. This year marks 100 years since the laying of the cornerstone of the Memorial Union, which memorializes WWI veterans.
I am proud to say that my father, Selwyn Barohn, now 91 years old and a U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran, will join us for the commemorative event.
This is an important ceremony and I encourage you to attend at noon today at Memorial Union. Our service men and women are so deserving of recognition, and this is an opportunity to honor MU’s students, faculty and staff who gave their lives in service of their country.
We at the University of Missouri take Veterans Day very seriously and know it is a solemn event. We encourage all our faculty, staff and students to take a moment to be thankful to our veterans past and present. Thank you, all, for your service and sacrifice.
Sincerely,
Rick Barohn, MD
Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Hugh E. and Sarah D. Stephenson Dean, School of Medicine
rbarohn@health.missouri.edu
