Secretary Williams' remarks

It’s an honor to be with you all this memorial weekend to honor and remember those who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom.  TCU has a long history of military involvement and, as we speak, Horned Frogs all over the world are making our country, and this university, extremely proud.  As I speak to members of our military, I am humbled to hear them say they are grateful for the challenges and experiences they’ve faced in serving our country.  These men and women are the reason that America is the great nation that we are today.

Across the nation, Veteran’s Day has served as a day of remembrance.  It honors those who fought in the trenches on the Western Front; those who fearlessly stormed the beaches at Normandy; men who faced new challenges in the jungles of Vietnam; and the men and women who continue to fight on foreign soil in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect the freedoms and liberties we enjoy each day in America.

Last year, we dedicated this Veteran’s Plaza to a noble calling.  It stands as a symbol of the men and women who have left this campus as graduates and returned as heroes.  And it serves as a permanent reminder of those patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice and didn’t return.  Throughout my long involvement with TCU, I strongly feel that this Plaza is one of the most significant and rewarding projects I have had the chance to be a part of.  

The Texas military tradition is filled with great heroes.  General Dwight D. Eisenhower stated, “The qualities of a great man are vision, integrity, courage, understanding and character.”  I am confident that General Eisenhower would agree that the men and women we honor with this Veteran’s Plaza exhibited each of those qualities to the fullest and continue on in this great Texas legacy.

Looking over the list of more than 80 individuals who were a part of the TCU family, I am humbled by the patriotism felt throughout this campus.  And as we honor the addition of a new name to this list of heroes, 1st Lieutenant Landon R. Casillas, we’re reminded that “Patriotism is not a short, frenzied outburst of emotion, but the steady dedication of a lifetime.”  The lives we honor here today may have been cut short, but I believe the honor, courage, and devotion to their country was strong enough to last through generations.  And it is our duty, as those left behind, to continue their vision and mission towards a greater future for Texas and America.  

While we are honoring those who have fallen among us, let’s not forget the purpose of Veteran’s Day, which is to celebrate those who are still with us, to remind them of our gratitude for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families while they were away.  As Texans, we must always support our veterans and make sure they know they did not serve in vain.  

The veterans of TCU represent some of our nation’s best and we must never forget what their sacrifices meant for our country.  I think you’d all agree with me that America is the best country in the world and I believe we owe it all to the men and women we remember today.  Let’s take it upon ourselves today to be sure that the sacrifices so many gave to this great country are never forgotten.