Veterans Day Has Extra Meaning for Campus Safety Officers

Every Nov. 11, Veterans Day encourages reflection and gratitude for all those who have served our country. And for the officers in Campus Safety Services, it has extra meaning, with six veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps and Army within their ranks.

Campus Safety Chief Robbie Williams spent four years in the Marines, including two years on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, before retiring as a corporal (E-4). Reflecting on what he was most proud of during his time in the service, Williams shared, “Celebrating with the people of Kuwait after we liberated the country from Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War.” Williams continued, “The hardship of being in the military heightened my ability for problem solving, and embedded a lot of determination to accomplish difficult things after I transitioned to civilian life. Anecdotally, when I first got out, I decided not to return to my home state of Texas, and had to sleep in my car until my apartment was ready to move in. It didn’t bother me though, because sleeping in a car was better than sleeping on the ground outside, as I did many times in the Marines!”

This Veterans Day, Campus Safety will pause to acknowledge both the history of all branches’ service to this country, as well as the Marine Corps’ 247^th birthday in particular. The U.S. Marine Corps was established on Nov. 10, 1775, and tradition carries that each year, active duty and retired Marines gather to share a cake cut with a ceremonial sword. The first slice is presented to the oldest Marine present, signifying the honor and respect accorded their seniority, before the oldest Marine passes a piece to the youngest Marine in the room, symbolizing the elder veterans’ nurturing and leading the next generation. At LMU, Officer Ramund Box will share a slice of cake with Officer Daniel Saldana.  

To learn more about LMU connections to Veterans Day and military service, all Lions are encouraged to visit Hannon Library’s Veteran Appreciation Week exhibit, running Nov. 9 through the end of the Thanksgiving holiday.