MSU to hold Veterans Day celebration honoring those who served

For Colonel Terry Hamburg, a student veteran at MSU, Veterans Day is more than just time off from school and work — it is a day to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

On Nov. 11, MSU will celebrate Veterans Day by hosting Rudy Reyes  — a U.S. Marine veteran, actor and motivational speaker — for a talk titled “Self-Development: A Lifelong Power.” 

The event, which will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., aims to honor those who served and to inspire all who strive for excellence, according to the MSU website. 

Todd Bucher, director of MSU’s Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center, said that the University has a long-standing tradition of supporting and remembering those who have protected the country. 

“Bringing in Rudy Reyes allows us to share a message of growth, purpose and lifelong strength that aligns perfectly with veteran values,” Bucher said. According to him, holding Veterans Day events at MSU bridges the gap between military and civilian life.

“Student veterans and our student veteran club have been involved from the start, helping with logistics [and] outreach,” he said. “Event promotion planning has really been a campus-wide effort, with support from MSU leadership, the Veteran Support Center and other community partners.” 

Hamburg served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, eight months and 18 days. He completed missions in 85 countries and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in fish and wildlife management. 

While serving, he witnessed high levels of violence and loss, and he said his PTSD can be difficult to manage. “School and academic life keeps my PTSD at arm's length from me and makes life a little more tolerable,” he said.

According to Hamburg, those who have served must navigate college differently than nonmilitary students.  

“We're just regular people, [but] we've experienced some traumatic things,” he said. “We've experienced a lot of sacrifice.” 

Hamburg said Veterans Day is a time to remember the experiences and stories of those who have served. He said that when veterans share their perspectives, it can help civilians better understand what life in the military is like — even though they may never fully grasp it. 

Hamburg said it is important to remember those who served their country, particularly stories close to MSU, such as the 1941 Golden Ghosts — the 14 Bobcat football players who lost their lives serving in World War II. This year, senior and defensive line player Paul Brott was chosen to wear number 41 in honor of the Golden Ghosts.

“I’m a little worried that we're starting to forget about the 1941 Bobcat football team that gave up so many players,” Hamburg said. “When the football team formed after the war in 1946, almost every single player on the team was a combat veteran. I don't want to lose [this story] here.”

Karina Ward, a veteran who served in the Army for five years, now works at the Veteran Support Center on campus while studying to become a teacher. She helped create the marketing material for the Veterans Day event. 

Ward said she hopes people understand that serving in the Army is a difficult choice — one that requires spending time away from home, adapting to new environments and often witnessing things that can have lasting effects.

“You don't know where your military career is going to take you, and when you signed up for it you were open to it taking you anywhere,” Ward said. “That's the hardest part, and that's the part that a lot of people can't do.”

Bucher said veterans continue to lead, mentor and strengthen communities every day.

“Service doesn't end when the uniform comes off,” he said. “This event is a reminder of that shared commitment and purpose to one another in our community.” 

For more information on the upcoming Veterans Day talk, visit https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/55614.