Special to the Register by Father Kenneth Borowiak
LINCOLN (SNR) - Veterans Day was marked at St. Michael Parish in Lincoln Nov. 11 in recognition of current active-duty military members and veterans.
The day’s observances began with the celebration of Mass attended by the student body, as well as dozens of parents, grandparents and parishioners involved in the U.S. military. Students and veterans had coffee and rolls after Mass.
An all-school convocation was held in the afternoon. Major Nick Nelson explained to students the difference between Armed Forces day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Major
Nelson noted that Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The World War I armistice was signed at the 11th minute of 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, ending the war that consumed much of the world. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938.
Major Troy Martin, Air Force, explained his work as the pilot of a KC-135 plane and how he, in his work, refills fighters in the air. He presented a video illustrating his work.
Colonel Fred Phelan, Air Force, told students about his time as a C-130 cargo plane pilot and described his flights during several tours of duty over Afghanistan and Iraq.
Capt. Richard Thomas gave an overview of his 33 years in United States Navy. Capt. Thomas was the first commander of the U.S.S. KIDD when it was commissioned in June 2007. The U.S.S. KIDD is an Arleigh Burke class Destroyer. Capt. Thomas finished his active military career as the Navy ROTC Commander at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Maj. Mike Morgan, retired, talked about his work in the Army with injured soldiers and their families. Carl Marks, a Purple Heart recipient, spoke of his experiences during the Korean War as a combat photographer. Marks also served as the Commander of the Nebraska Military Order of the Purple Heart. The speakers then formed a panel toward which students directed questions.
In response to a student’s question, “can you watch Husker games while deployed overseas?” Maj. Nelson answered yes and explained the American Forces Network. The American Forces Network (AFN) is the broadcast service operated by the United States Armed Forces’ American Forces Radio and Television Service) for its entertainment and command internal information networks worldwide. It carries major college sporting events.
