Torch, Winter 2012

Honoring Citizen Soldiers Veterans Day is a national opportunity to honor the men and women who have served, and are presently serving, in the armed forces. We recognize their call to defend our country, and we are inspired by their sacrifice. While they serve in official capacities at home and abroad, ordinary citizens can also face threats to freedom and national security — citizens like Todd Beamer, who coined the phrase, “Let’s roll!” aboard United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. The theme for Cedarville’s 2011 Veterans Day chapel honored the “citizen soldier,” and Beamer’s father, David Beamer, spoke on this topic to a crowd of students and veterans alike. While his son is remembered as a courageous hero who helped thwart a terrorist plot, Beamer said what mattered more was who Todd was on September 10. It was his son’s discipline and character as a husband, father, businessman, and Christ- follower on the day before that prepared him to do what was right on September 11. “There were many casualties of war that day,” said Beamer, “some in uniform and some not in uniform.” Although the hijackers had meticulously planned the attacks for many years, they had not anticipated that citizen soldiers aboard Flight 93 would launch a counterattack. “‘Let’s roll!’ was, for Todd, a call to action — a battle cry to do the right thing at the right time,” Beamer said. “We all have choices to make every day, in different situations. If we would all do the right thing in matters of integrity, our world would be a better place. When you hear that phrase, ‘Let’s roll!,’ make it your call to action to do the right thing.” The patriotic music and special presentations during the Veterans Day chapel allowed students to reflect on the sacrifices of men and women in uniform. They showed their appreciation with a standing ovation that extended for several minutes as veterans from all branches came up to the stage. “Veterans Day chapel is by far my favorite chapel of the whole year,” said Stephanie Hill ’12. “It’s heartwarming to see all the veterans there and recognize them for their service. David Beamer’s connection to the day reminded us what we as a country are fighting for.” cedarville.edu/veterans Campus News 34 TORCH | Winter 2012 SCOTT HUCK | CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY