A&M-Commerce recognized veterans for their service at the 28th Annual Veterans Vigil on Nov. 7.

The vigil was located in the Rayburn Student Center on the 2nd floor in the conference rooms.

“The vigil is a cool way for student veterans on campus to get representation, and to also come together as a group to do something,” Kasey Curtin, a veteran student, said.

“We have a really big veteran presence on campus and sometimes people may not know that. This is why we are getting out there and letting people know that we really do exist and that we are doing something for veterans day that means a lot to us. Students should understand that this is done all over the world, and that we have traditions as veterans to honor those who gave the sacrifice and to be respectful.”

The vigil was opened to the public.

At the beginning of the event there was a reception. Later on, the presentation of the colors was shown and the university choral sang the national anthem. A student host gave a short presentation. Marine Col. William Dwiggins was the guest speaker. At the end of the presentations the vigil flame was lit.

“The vigil is just a chance to understand what the veteran population has done, and for everybody to take a chance to realize what it all means,” Dusty Hines, a veteran student, said.

“Not many people realize, but the campus has been built off the GI Bill and years past most of the people have come here as veterans, so the fact that it’s still continuing till this day and is important to this campus is a big thing.”