LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — Veterans Day was observed all around the country Sunday and its purpose is to honor anyone who served in the United States Armed Forces. On Monday Ivy Tech in Lafayette planted 207 flags to show its respect.
"We have 207 flags for all the Indiana service members and related Indiana service members killed since Sept. 11th.," said Ivy Tech's Veteran Affairs Coordinator Fred Duttlinger. "They're out there and we don't distinguish between National Guard, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, any of the services. Everyone sacrificed the same thing."
That sacrifice is what a former U.S. Army Combat Medic and current Ivy Tech students says is worth it.
"It's heart-touching," said Rachel Trujillo. "It really hits you deep down because you lose friends and you've lost family members."
Family means everything to Trujillo as she is a third generation veteran.
"Being a soldier in having that recognition and being able to do my part for this country is such an amazing act," said Trujillo.
Ivy Tech Lafayette honored those acts with a quiet, peaceful and serene American flag garden.
This tradition is in its 6th year and this time around, instead of having students use sidewalk chalk to write messages to veterans, it organized thank-a-veteran day.
"There are vets, numerous vets around us," said Duttlinger. "We have parents of veterans, spouses, children everything that veterans are a part of the community."
Bringing the community together is what inspired to Trujillo to be the president of the student veterans organization.
"Always so much support from the community, our students and our faculty," said Trujillo. "It's a really tremendous support system that we have here."
Trujillo says shes doing her part in bringing awareness to veterans and wants the event to get bigger and bigger every year.
