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Honoring veterans: past, present and future

Photos by Dan Johnson | Story by Andy Brodzeller

Marquette's Army ROTC recognized Veterans Day during the battalion's annual Wall of Honor Induction and Cadet Contracting Ceremony, Friday, Nov. 11.

The battalion inducted Col. Mark E. Mitchell as a member of the Wall of Honor. Mitchell, Eng '87, was among the first U.S. soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan in November 2001 and was the first soldier since the Vietnam War to publicly receive the Distinguished Service Cross for his decisive leadership in Afghanistan.

During the ceremony, Mitchell said his ROTC training, combined with Marquette's Jesuit education, instilled a firm appreciation of servant leadership, which has served him well in the Army. Citing a prayer by St. Ignatius, he said his training taught him "to seek service for others, and not to count the costs." He urged the new cadets to have the same focus.

After Mitchell's address, 18 new cadets affirmed their intentions to become officers in the U.S. Army by reciting the Army Cadet Oath.

Prayer of St. Ignatius

Dearest Lord,

teach me to be generous;

teach me to serve You as You deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for reward

save that of knowing I am doing Your Will.