Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday!

Today is Purple Heart Day, and August is Purple Heart Month. Throughout the history of S&T, from the Spanish-American War in 1898 through the most recent global conflicts, Miners have responded to the call of duty to defend the nation. From the eight students who perished during World War I to those who died in more recent conflicts, many have been the recipients of the Purple Heart—an honor whose origins date to George Washington’s recognition of “singularly meritorious action” in 1782. Today, the Purple Heart is America’s oldest military honor awarded to those killed or wounded while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

In fact, one of the first American casualties of World War II and a recipient of the Purple Heart was George A. Whiteman, who studied chemical engineering at S&T before enlisting in the Army Air Corps. Whiteman was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when the Japanese attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. His Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was shot down by enemy fire just after takeoff. Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri bears his name as a testament to his service and sacrifice.

Six alumni who died in action during World War II were honored by our university through the naming of six buildings in 1958. Thomas Wallace Kelly, John Milroy McAnerney, Willard Farrar, William Altman and Orvid Holtman all had long-standing residence halls named in their honor, while John Rayl was recognized by the naming of Rayl cafeteria.

Miners have participated in subsequent global conflicts, from the Korean War to Vietnam to Iraq to Afghanistan. Capt. Sylvan Bradley, a 1961 civil engineering graduate, was killed after his helicopter was shot down by enemy fire in Vietnam. The list of engagements and sacrifices goes on as Miners enlist to defend the nation, democracy and freedom.

As I think of all the lives lost in service to the nation, I’m reminded of the poem “Bivouac of the Dead,” by the Mexican-American War veteran Theodore O’Hara. The editors of the 1919 Rollamo yearbook “victory edition,” which commemorated the Allied victory of World War I, also saw fit to select these words from O’Hara’s poem to honor “those who did not live to receive their well-earned praise”:

On Fame’s eternal camping-ground,
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead. …

Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her records keeps,
Or Honor points the hallowed spot
Where Valor proudly sleeps.

O'Hara's poem always makes me think of the parents whose children did not return, an emotion reflected in Lucille Ley's “Apple Blossom Time,” first published in the 1950s:

Each spring at apple blossom time
The gnarled old branches of the trees
In our back yard
Are decked like bridal bowers
With pink-tipped blossoms.
Their fragrance permeates the house
Like rare perfume.
Sad thoughts recall another apple blossom time
When a brave young soldier
My son
Called back to duty from his leave,
Stood with bared head and
Drank in the beauty of the grand old trees.
Each shrub and flower
The dear old familiar faces
As though to hold them in his memory
Through all eternity.
Then, without looking back
Flew into the great unknown
And did not return.

May this momentous day be a reminder that freedom is not free and that precious lives have been sacrificed so that we all, living and yet to be born, can live and defend freedom.

Warmly, 

-Mo.

Share your thoughts!

Read previous Friday morning messages.

Check out the latest news from S&T:

• S&T honors Dennis and Janet Jaggi for transforming business education
• Researcher aims to develop personalized breast cancer treatment
• Meet S&T at the Missouri State Fair for hands-on fun

Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu