CTC Veterans Day Celebration Draws Standing Room Only Crowd

November 11, 2009: A standing room only crowd turned out Wednesday for the Columbus Technical College Veterans Day celebration. About 200 people filled the auditorium in Patrick Hall to honor our veterans, past and present. Retired Colonels John Mitchell with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and community volunteer Robert Jordan, Jr. addressed the crowd. Event organizer, Columbus Technical College Recruiter and a U.S. Army Veteran with 24 years service, Larry X. Hicks, was honored and thrilled with the turn-out.

"It was amazing to see so many students, faculty and staff members come to our event to pay tribute to those who served," Larry said. "This celebration was a strong reminder that freedom isn't free - it's due to the sacrifice of the brave men and women of our armed forces.

Veterans Day Speaker John Mitchell
Retired Colonel John Mitchell addressed the capacity crowd at Columbus Technical College's Veterans Day celebration.

Other highlights of the celebration included patriotic music, the posting of colors by an area boy scout troop and the America's White Table ceremony.

America's White Table honors America's Armed Forces, especially MIAs and POWs. A small table is used, covered with a white cloth to honor a soldier's pure heart. A lemon slice and grains of salt are placed on a plate to show a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for their return. An empty chair represents the missing soldiers while a black napkin stands for the sorrow of captivity and a turned over glass stands for a meal that won't be eaten. A white candle represents peace and a red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon stands for the hope that all those missing will someday return.