On this day of remembrance, Colorado State University honors our women and men in military service and the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and our freedoms.

At Gettysburg in 1863, Abraham Lincoln said these words that still resound today: The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

As a community, we are incredibly proud of the veterans among our students, faculty, staff, and alumni and grateful for all that they and generations of others have given. We are grateful, as well, to their families, who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.

Today, let’s celebrate those who returned and recommit ourselves — individually and together — never to shirk from the “great task remaining before us.”

-tony

Dr. Tony Frank
President