Remarks from CFCC’s Veterans Day Ceremony

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Cape Fear Community College honored their veteran community at a ceremony Tuesday morning. 

The event was moved inside due to the cold temperatures. 

The ceremony included a presentation of colors, the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several speakers. 

Diana Rios with the United States Marine Corps read off a poem to the crowd.

“I am a veteran. I joined the service while still in my teens. I traded my prom dress for camouflage greens. I’m the first in my family to do something like this, I followed my father like he followed his,” Rios said.

Rios added, “While I fought on the ground, in the air, on the sea, my family and friends were home praying for me.”

Eman Mohammed with the United States Army National Guard also gave remarks.

“Here at Cape Fear, our student veteran’s organization has become that same kind of family. We remind each other that we are not walking this path alone. When one of us struggles, someone else steps in to help carry the weight,” Mohammed said.

Peter Champagne, Colonel United States Army Retired and CEO and Founder of Unbroken Spirit.

Champagne talked to the audience about his charitable organization whose mission is to empower Veteran’s body, mind and spiritual wellbeing through transformative training programs to give life and meaning.

“For veterans, discovering their why. The reason they are here and the people they are meant to serve that can create profound change in their life,” Champagne said.

Cape Fear Community College currently has 735 student veterans and veteran dependents.