Tue Nov 12 07:59:38 UTC 2024: ## Duke Honors Veterans with Ceremony Filled with Gratitude and Reflection
**DURHAM, NC** – Duke University held its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Duke University Chapel, recognizing and honoring the service of all veterans in the Duke community.
The ceremony featured music from the John Brown Ensemble and remarks from Duke leaders, including President Vincent E. Price, Vice President for Human Resources Antwan Lofton, and Duke University Chapel Dean Luke A. Powery.
The keynote speaker was Duke Chief of Police and Associate Vice President for Public Safety John Dailey, a veteran of the United States Army. Dailey emphasized the importance of teamwork and shared stories from his time serving as a captain, highlighting the individual efforts that contribute to the success of larger military endeavors.
“Veterans out there all have similar stories,” Dailey said. “They attended to the wounded, made sure communication equipment worked, trained teams, maintained jets, maintained helicopters and flew them, served on ships, developed plans, patrolled, participated in missions around the world. While today, we honored the veteran, the veteran remembers the team around them.”
President Price highlighted Duke’s long-standing relationship with the military, including the establishment of the 65th General Hospital Unit during World War II and the creation of the first Physician Assistant Program at Duke in 1965. He emphasized the vital role veterans play in shaping the university’s future.
“Just as those veterans who worked and studied at Duke have played such a critical role in our past, our current community of veterans have an extremely important role shaping our future,” Price said.
The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony at Duke’s memorial to alumni lost while serving in the military.
Attendees, including veterans from Duke’s staff, faculty, and student body, expressed their gratitude and shared their experiences.
“It means a lot for us,” said Biomedical Equipment Specialist Gonzalo Arnillas Luque, an Army Reserves Staff Sergeant. “It brings back memories of serving your country.”
The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and the vital contributions they make to their communities. It highlighted the spirit of service and the enduring values of honor, sacrifice, courage, and respect that veterans embody.
First Piper 