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UC Honors Student Veterans

The University of Cincinnati is marking Veterans Day a few days early. An on campus ceremony is held each year honoring the school's student veterans.

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Students, staff and others gather on McMicken Commons to honor UC's student veterans.

"It's one thing to say 'thank you for your service.' It's another thing to show it," says Terrence Harrison, program manager of UC Veterans Programs and Services. "We believe at the University of Cincinnati that we're going to give our student veterans the best experience they can possibly have as a student. We go out of our way to show our thanks and gratitude, do things for them like this Veterans Day ceremony."

Speakers included the head of the Tristate Veterans Community Alliance, Dan Knowles and Brad Ocilka, who served in Afghanistan and Cuba and is now a senior majoring in psychology.

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Jim Knight of American Legion Post 530 in Greenhills waits for the ceremony to begin.

American Legion Post 530 provided a 21 gun salute followed by Taps ringing out from atop McMicken Hall and Tangeman University Center.

More than 2,000 American flags were spread across McMicken Commons, a green lawn in the middle of campus.

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2,034 flags dot McMicken Commons, one for each of UC's student veterans.

"We have 2,034 of them," says Harrison. "That represents one for each student veteran at the University of Cincinnati. That includes our Clermont and Blue Ash campuses plus our online students as well."

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UC Band trumpet player Matt Bischof plays Taps in a call-an-echo from high atop Tangeman University Center. Bischof provided the echo. Across the lawn, Craig Fishbein issued the call from the of McMicken Hall.

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.