The anticipated dark clouds and rain held off, yet, in a different venue, TCU fell silent for a moment on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month to remember women and men who have served.

The battalions of the Army and Air Force ROTC programs came together on Veterans Day to honor the service and sacrifice of all five branches of the United States Armed Forces.

One by one, five roses representing the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy were laid at the front of the platform inside Robert Carr Chapel. Moments later, TCU chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. and Air Force ROTC Col. Bill Dwiggins carried a wreath of red, white and blue flowers with cadets and campus members standing in honor.

Marine veteran and TCU student Andrew Lahey played “Taps” before a moment of silence.

Earlier in the program, cadets from each battalion and the TCU Student Veterans Alliance shared their own reflections on Veterans Day.

“Until I came to TCU and joined Air Force ROTC, Veterans Day not on my radar,” said Air Force ROTC cadet Lauren Corbet. “What struck me most, and what gives Veterans Day meaning to me now, is these people are willing to sacrifice so much: their personal time, time with families, even their lives, all in order to serve this country.”

Army ROTC cadet Mikala Hamilton spoke of the heroism veterans displayed that is often lost in the daily hustle and bustle of life.

“For our veterans, America the beautiful was important enough to endure suffering freezing conditions, missing birth of children, lost limbs, even loss of work,” she said.

Starpoint School students also read essays about helping families of veterans and treating them with respect as they move into civilian life.

Army ROTC cadet and battalion commander Chris Lamoureux, who served as emcee for the event, shared the history of the observance, which began as Armistice Day in 1919 to remember the end of World War I and honor the millions who perished.

Under clear skies, the remembrance moved outdoors to TCU Veterans Plaza with cadets bringing the wreath and roses and Starpoint students carrying flags and a Veterans Day banner. All participants planted flags in front of Frog Fountain in the Campus Commons.