Among the various activities, responsibilities, and qualities that the beginning of November signifies, few events are as significant as Veterans Day. Celebrated annually in the United States on November 11 to honor those who have served in the various branches of the military, especially those who lost their lives as a result of that service, Veterans Day gives a solemn and necessary acknowledgment.
Andrews University started the early celebration of those who have dedicated their lives to military service, as well as honoring the families that have been impacted, on Tuesday, November 7, during the co-curricular time. The annual event was hosted in the Newbold Auditorium in Buller Hall, where students, staff, and special guests filed in. Chaplain Keith Mattingly gave a substantial welcome and a summary of what Veterans Day means to him as a veteran himself. Mattingly then led the audience in the United States Pledge of Allegiance before ceding the microphone to Zoleka Sibanda, an Andrews Academy student, who gave a lovely rendition of the American National Anthem.
When University President John Wesley Taylor V got up to pray, he had the auditorium first unite in a moment of silence for the fallen members of the United States military and for their families. Taylor then invited Andrews University theology student Jones Tuufuli (sophomore, theology) to share a special message dedicated to veterans. Tuufuli has been serving in the Southeastern California Conference at the Riverside Samoan SDA Church since 1997. During this past summer, he served as a chaplain on a mission trip to the island of American Samoa, which in part inspired him to pursue his Master of Divinity degree and become a full-time pastor. He dreams of serving in the U.S. Military Reserve chaplaincy program after graduation.
Having a brother, two sisters, and a brother-in-law serving in the US Navy and Army, Tuufuli has ample experience with what military service means to a family. He spoke on the importance of freedom and how much it costs to obtain it. It is no small task to take up arms in defending a country while simultaneously giving up your own right to peace and proper prosperity for the rest of your life. Tuufuli asserted that this is the sacrifice veterans must make. He urged the audience to show appreciation for those who have fallen in combat, as well as for individuals who did not fall, yet they and/or their families may be broken because of experiences in combat. Although such experiences do not guarantee permanent fracturing and brokenness of homes, the mental and relational aspects of veterans’ lives after service ought to be a facility to be prayed on and considered. Appreciation for such freedom should go beyond just saying thank you. It extends to using your own freedom to better your country and give back in an unselfish way.
Tuufuli quoted John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” explaining that God appreciates when selflessness is portrayed. Therefore, similar love and care ought to be exhibited and appreciated by everyone, not only as citizens or temporary residents in the United States, but also as Christians.
After Tuufuli closed, Scott Peterson provided special music with the song “O Beautiful,” and Chaplain James North Jr. gave the closing remarks and prayer. A small reception in Buller Hall’s lobby was available afterward, and all attendees were able to be appreciative and reflective ahead of this year’s Veterans Day.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.