At Drury University, veterans, students, and community members gathered on Monday in observance of Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary of World War I.
In 2001, Staff Sergeant John Pope was thinking about leaving the Army after serving four years. Then came 9/11.
Pope, a Drury alum who spoke at the Veterans Day event, said he couldn’t bear the thought of the men he trained with going to war without him. So, he re-enlisted and served tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I don’t think we can ever take our freedoms for granted. I think every day we need to remind ourselves we are free and we have our freedoms and liberties because of men and women who wake up every day to defend and fight for this country.”
Michael Phillips, another Army Veteran at the event, said he hopes Springfield can one day carry the standard of what honoring veterans looks like.
“This is our day as veterans to actually look back on the heros of our lives and say we love you and we honor you today and every day.”
Drury University officials say the school's tradition of serving those who have served our country dates back to the days following World War II when buses brought soldiers from Fort Leonard Wood to classes held on the Springfield campus.