Wednesday’s Chapel featured a special tribute to all those who have served in the armed forces.
Unlike past years, the annual Veterans Day Tribute did not single out a specific person but collectively honored veterans, as well as featuring a performance by The Voice of Taylor.
The program started with Mikayla Tipps, senior theatre major, singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
ACU President Phil Schubert followed with a quick address, especially thanking Dyess Air Force Base and recognizing its four airmen that were killed in a C-130J crash in early October.
“We mourn with their families and friends under the weight of unspeakable tragedy,” Schubert said in his speech.
Joshua Hollers, an ACU alumnus who served eight and a half years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including two years in Okinawa, two tours in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq, led the invocation.
The tribute ended with The Voice of Taylor, a 53-student choir group from Taylor Elementary School, singing several songs under the direction of Teresa Graham, the school’s K-5 music specialist.
“They were absolutely thrilled, and it’s an honor to leave school for the day,” said Graham. “Children love that connection to the military and honoring military, and any holidays or special events, that’s a unique opportunity for them to see all generations.”