Veterans Day often goes unnoticed or uncelebrated on college campuses, and in the case of Vanderbilt, it seems that the holiday commemorating the sacrifices of the men and women in uniform is never given the attention it deserves.

This year, however, the university has taken a step in the right direction. As reported in the Hustler, East House and the Office of Active Citizenship and Service sponsored a moving memorial on Alumni Lawn. Small American flags were placed in rows early Tuesday morning, each to memorialize the 4,192 death of every American soldier serving in Iraq since 2003.

This effort, led by sophomore Naveed Nanjee, is admirable in its attempt to commemorate properly Iraq veterans who have lost their lives. Still, Veterans Day is a day to remember all American veterans in all service capacities, whether they have lived or died in their service.

Vanderbilt should take note of the success of the Iraq Memorial for this year’s Veterans Day and should do more to promote a more campus-wide celebration, through the Commons and other means. The project had heads turning and minds contemplating the importance of sacrifice. Perhaps next year, more students and faculty alike will be involved in a memorial for all American veterans of war and peace.

— Mike Warren