The clouds, in a welcome gesture of patriotism, did not burst yesterday until the conclusion of the Veteran’s Day Ceremony in White Plaza. Sophomore Chelsi Butler of a cappella group Everyday People sung the national anthem, and then Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann, dean of the Office of Religious Life, took the podium.

EnlargeEnlarge
Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann, dean of the Office of Religious Life spoke of the importance of supporting American democracy. ”It grows not in self-righteousness, but in self-correction,” she said. #gallery http://daily.stanford.edu/image/full/6553
Mae Ryan

Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann, dean of the Office of Religious Life spoke of the importance of supporting American democracy. ”It grows not in self-righteousness, but in self-correction,” she said.

Karlin-Neumann took the opportunity to stress the importance of unified support for American democracy.

“Our democracy is comprised of many voices, many paths,” Karlin-Neuman said. “It grows not in self-righteousness, but in self-correction. Freedom is found when we treasure democracy. Only if we each tend to this garden of democracy will it grow strong and healthy. Take the deal, enter the fray — we are counting on you.”

A common theme throughout the ceremony was inclusive support of American troops. In an effort to communicate the inclusive nature of the event, representatives from the College Republicans, the Stanford Democrats, and the ASSU attended, each offering their own perspectives on the special occasion.

Senior Megan Reiss, president of the College Republicans, spoke about growing up in a military family and implored the crowd to devote themselves to Thomas Jefferson’s principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. She praised military members for their sacrifices, challenges like those she witnessed firsthand. Citing mistreatment of soldiers after Vietnam, Reiss encouraged students to support Iraq War veterans regardless of their views on the conflict itself.

“We need to welcome home our newest veterans,” Reiss said. “We cannot hold them responsible for government policies.”

Sophomore Niko Milonopoulos of the Stanford Democrats agreed.

“These soldiers are on the frontlines of justice and equality, ridding the world of tyranny of oppression and replacing them with the doves of freedom,” he said. “Let us set aside the political conflict and remember the men and women, Democrat and Republican alike, fighting side by side for the ideals that we all cherish.”

Sophomore Sagar Doshi of the ASSU argued that Stanford students are lucky to be tucked away in the “bubble,” but in doses.

“This privilege of security can blind us every day on what it takes to achieve it,” he said.

Lt. Col. Scott Murray, a National Security Affairs Fellow at the Hoover Institution, noted that military veterans make up eight percent of the population.

“All veterans personify one virtue before all others, service before self,” Murray said. “I am proud to be a member of the United States Armed Forces first and foremost because of the opportunity to serve with soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and most importantly their families.”

Murray shared a story of airmen stationed in Indonesia after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami who disobeyed direct orders to evacuate in order to help the people affected by the disaster.

Drawn by hundreds of emails and a Facebook event posting to drum up support, the crowd was thin but attentive.

“I was happy that the people who did turnout seemed to be really engaged in the discussion,” junior Marissa Cramer said. “It’s always really hard for one person to get the word out about an event. The inspiration for this event came from my fellowship with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy. I thought that it would be important and meaningful to do a Veteran’s Day ceremony. “

The event, a reincarnation of the Sept. 11 memorial held last year, was intended to be a reminder to students of how many sacrifices have been made for their freedom.

“I was really hoping that people who don’t have that connection [to the military] would gain that connection,” she said. “You have to take a few moments out of your life at Stanford to realize that people are fighting for the freedoms you enjoy here. It’s important that we have an appreciation for the people working to defend our security.”

Graduate student Jeremy Wong from the Stanford Wind Ensemble played “Taps” on the trumpet to cap off the event.