Listen Here
By Victoria Hansen
hansenv@findlay.edu
Armistice Day was 107 years ago, but the significance remains. The end to fighting, the end of the first World War.
Army Lt. Col. William Layer, graduated from the University of Findlay in 1968. He spoke to a small crowd at the University’s annual observance of Veteran’s Day Nov. 11.
“Veterans Day is a solemn day. A day to remember Americans who fought and Americans who died. In the course of our history, Ohio has sent over 2 million of her citizens to war,” Layer said in his remarks.
Veterans, community members, and the Oiler Marching Band gathered in the Center of Business and Student Life for the observance.
The celebration began with the “Armed Forces Salute” played by the Oiler Marching Band. The piece consisted of a medley of “Semper Paratus” (the Coast Guard marching song), “The Marine’s Hymn,” “The U.S. Air Force Song,” “Semper Supra” (the official song of the Space Force), and “Anchors Aweigh” (the Navy fight song).
Kenneth McIntyre Jr., vice president of university advancement, introduced Layer, who for 26 years, earning a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat.
Layer, earned a degree in history from Findlay College. And he wanted to remind the audience of the history of Veteran’s Day and its past as the more solemn Armistice Day.
“The significance of Armistice Day has faded in the public mind. It should not. After four years of slaughter and devastation, one year for the United States, 1917 to 1918, the War to End All Wars, the Great War for Civilization, ended on the 11th day of the 11th month. At the 11th hour, the guns fell silent,” Layer said.
Layer discussed the vast effect that WWI had on Europe, leveling towns, bringing down empires, and setting the stage for WWII, leading to “four years of unimaginable hell,” according to Layer. Despite each of these war efforts and wars in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East, Layer sees no end to military struggle.
“The normal course of the world is conflict,” Layer said. “Today, we face new challenges from a militant China and an expansionist Russia, but whatever the threat, the armed forces of the American Republic stand ready to do their duty.”
Other speakers at the event included Samuel Yates, president of UF’s Alumni Board of Governors, who gave an introduction for the ceremony and the Veterans Honor Wall.
“The Veterans Honor Wall is a living tribute that serves as a constant reminder on our campus of the many sacrifices that our servicemen and women make to give us the freedoms that we enjoy,” Yates said in his speech. “We are honored to call these veterans Oilers.”
In her remarks, UF President Katherine Fell shared the story of how the Honor Wall was added to the CBSL’s layout after the chairman of the UF board of trustees pointed out there was no place to honor veterans who attended UF.
After the final speech and a rendition of “God Bless America,” the names of 19 veterans were added to the Honor Wall, ranging from Ralph Conrad and Amanda Hauck from the class of 1977 to Shana Yutzy from the class of 2029.
