Freedom is the fundamental principle upon which this nation was founded. This freedom however must be actively protected and fought for. Veterans Day is a day dedicated to our armed forces the courageous men and women who defend our freedom.
Many of these brave men and women live and work at Pepperdine. Students and staff members alike have been soldiers from all branches of the military and have served in a number of conflicts from Iraq to Vietnam.
Rick Carroll a member of the Pepperdine staff for more than 30 years is one of these soldiers. Carroll served in the Army from 1970 to 1973 spending 18 months of that time in Germany. He began his work at Pepperdine shortly after. His feelings towards the Pepperdine community in light of his military service are very positive.
“At Pepperdine I feel that as a veteran I have been treated with the utmost respect he said.
Regarding the celebration of Veteran’s Day itself, he added, It’s a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect this country. It’s the ultimate celebration.”
The Malibu Chamber of Commerce the city of Malibu and Pepperdine University held its 10th annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Wednesday Nov. 11 at Heroes Garden on the Drescher Graduate Campus. This was the first time for the ceremony to be held at Heroes Garden; previously it has been held at the Malibu Chamber of Commerce. Several veterans and members of the Pepperdine Community contributed to the ceremony including men’s volleyball coach Marv Dunphy and law student Ben Gifford. Each gave speeches.
Pepperdine’s Seaver students participated in the ceremony as well. Senior Anna Richardson sang the national anthem and David Mather a sophomore played taps.
“It was a very moving ceremony in an amazing setting said Jon Hippensteel, a Pepperdine alumnus who attended the ceremony.
Brandon Lee, a senior, served 13 months in Iraq as an army medic. He found the aftermath of the ceremony to be an opportunity to network with other Pepperdine veterans.
These ceremonies hold us [veterans] together and give us a chance to connect Lee said. Today I had a chance to share stories with others who have experienced some of the same things.”
Carroll was unable to attend the ceremony because as a Commander for the U.S. Legions he was asked to be the guest speaker at a cemetery in Camarillo.
Dunphy served in the Army from 1968 to 1969. He fought in the Vietnam War and has worked at Pepperdine on-and-off for the past 20 years. In some of his time spent away from Pepperdine he coached the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team.
“It was an honor to serve our country he said, regarding his experience in Vietnam. I wish there was in some way shape or form an opportunity for all young people to serve our country and what it stands for even if they aren’t in the military. I don’t know if there’s an opportunity for everyone but it’s something that would be worthy.”
His patriotism transcends his military service and shines through to his job here.
“We [the volleyball team] have an American flag on the shoulder of our practice and game uniforms. When people ask ‘Why’ I simply respond ‘Why wouldn’t we?'”
Gifford another guest speaker fought in the Iraq War twice and in the Afghanistan War once with the U.S. Marine Corps.
“Not a lot of Californians join the military. Peoples’ reactions tend to be like ‘Whoa! You did what?’ when I tell them he said.
He served in the Marines for eight years, until 2006, when the loss of his younger brother in the army to the Iraq War led to his honorable resignation.
I’m very proud to be a Marine he said as he pointed to a Marine pin on his shirt. I literally wear it on my sleeve.”
His wife and three young children were a factor urging his resignation as well.
“I like that Pepperdine [School of Law] is very family-oriented. Pepperdine has been very cool about having three kids and I hear not all law schools would be.”
Despite no longer being physically in the Marines Gifford said he still lives with the goal of serving the country. Gifford hopes to do this through politics.
“I love Pepperdine. It’s absolutely beautiful he said. My dad was a Church of Christ minister too so it’s always nice to be a part of that affiliation.”
The sentiments of remembrance the core emotions associated with Veteran’s Day are not a once-a-year notion to Gifford.
“For me not a day goes by when I’m not thinking about the men and women over there. With a family loss it’s not something I can ever forget. It’s nice to know that on Nov. 11 for a day people are considering the sacrifices of military families.”