Veterans Day Tribute

Veterans Day. This day serves as a day to not only remember those who are veterans for our country, but to commend them on their bravery, patriotism and their willingness to serve our country. I am proud to attend a university that holds such high regard for our veterans. Today, I was able to attend the Veterans Day ceremony that was held by the University of Washington. 

The ceremony was held in Memorial Way, the main street into UW and was held around the round about, which includes a memorial to armed service members in the middle of the round about. All of the different branches of the ROTC were stationed and represented around the memorial. 

Each branch of ROTC also had their colors represented and carried by one of the members within each group. 

Looking around the crowd, it was wonderful to see veterans still donning their service branch proudly. 

Opening remarks were done by Colonel Brent D. Bigger of the US Air Force. He delivered a speech that touched on so many of the great acts that individuals within ROTC and our veterans have done for our country. 

President Michael K. Young then took the podium shortly after Col. Bigger spoke and returned the podium to Col. Bigger for the presentation of colors. 

Multiple veterans were recognized for their service, but specifically, Dr. Richard Layton was recognized by President Young for the Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award. He served in the US Navy and received a medical degree from the University of Washington as one of their first few classes of graduates for the UW Medical School. During Dr. Layton's speech, he touched on the importance of taking care of family, friends and those around you.

President Young and Cpt. Daniel Boirum, an MBA graduate of the Foster School of Business, carried the wreath that was placed in the middle of Memorial Way to serve as a tribute for our veterans that concluded the ceremony.

My favorite part of the ceremony was seeing the adoration that loved ones gave to their family and friends that served or are serving in the armed forces. It was apparent through their smiles and hugs that they were proud of the decision that their loved ones had made in serving the country. Many gathered around for pictures after. 

At the end of the ceremony, I made my way to the center of the round about to grab photos of the engravings on the rocks that surround Memorial Way. I believe the message they bring is one of hope and of ordinary people stepping into extraordinary situations. Another rock acts as a tribute and lists past service members that have proudly served our country.

As I walked around campus, it was great to see ROTC students still in their uniforms walking and saluting each other proudly. 

As a grandson of a proud patriot who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, who was a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, I hold great pride in knowing a veteran that is sadly no longer with us. While it is only for one day that we officially honor our veterans, it's important to remember the role that they play and the importance that they hold for our country. It is not just November 11, but everyday that we should be thankful and appreciative for what they do or have done for us. Thank you to all our veterans.

Around Campus-- University of Washington

Looking back over the last few blog posts, I realized that I had been on the field a lot. While I love sports photography, I wanted to step back into capturing what's around me other than just what's on the field. What better way to do this than a walk through my campus at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington?

While the weather has been a little stormy over the past week, we did have a stretch of gorgeous weather right before the weekend. I grabbed my camera and just headed around campus to various locations to capture the day. First stop was Suzzallo Library.

Suzzallo Library is ranked as one of the top libraries on a college campus as well as in the world by various publications each year.

Suzzallo Library

While the outside architecturally is beautiful, the inside has just as much detail put into it. The main reading room is said to remind people of one of the rooms straight out of Harry Potter and Hogwarts Castle.

Staircase leading to the Suzzallo reading room.

Reading Room-Suzzallo Library

 After heading to Suzzallo, I stopped by a couple of the other lesser known buildings around campus. The first was the MOLES building, which is one of the newer science buildings on campus. The MOLES building is more contemporary but is contrasted with a more traditional style of architecture right across the street displayed in Architecture Hall.

MOLES Building

Architecture Hall

Having not taken physics at the University yet, I stopped by the physics building, which is known for having sculptures and other art pieces related to discoveries in physics. The sculptures are designed to resemble "p-orbitals" found in chemical molecules and waveforms, which are relevant to many areas of science.

Heading to the north end of campus, I swung by the Law Library. This is another one of the newer buildings on campus along with Paccar Hall, home to the Foster School of Business. 

The UW Law Library

Paccar Hall--Foster School of Business

Right next to Paccar is Denny Hall. Denny Hall during the early years of the University of Washington served as the building for all of the University's administration. This is now used for other purposes, but still serves as a historic icon near the center of campus.

I had to walk by Memorial Way to see the "W". Memorial Way is one of the only roads that leads straight into campus and many visitors and alumni are greeted by the big "W" statue in the median.

It wouldn't be a walk around campus without visiting the Quad. The Quad at UW is the most photographed location on the planet during springtime. For a week or so, all of the trees lining the quad are blooming and it is a beautiful display of cherry blossoms. While it wasn't spring and there were no cherry blossoms, I still believe that it's just as magnificent in the setting fall sunlight.