Florida State salutes its veterans

Veterans' Day 2010 provides a special opportunity to recognize and honor those Florida State University students and alumni who, across three centuries, have served their country honorably and bravely.

Among the earliest of these veterans were young cadets from what was then known as the Florida Military and Collegiate Institute (successor to the Seminary West of the Suwannee), who fought in the Civil War's Battle of Natural Bridge and helped make Tallahassee the only Confederate capitol east of the Mississippi not captured during the war. As a result of the brave action of those cadets, Florida State's Army ROTC cadet corps is one of only three in the nation authorized to display a battle streamer with its flag. The streamer bears the words "Natural Bridge 1865."

Since that time, decade after decade, members of the Florida State University community-students, faculty and staff-have preserved and protected our nation through their military service and sacrifice.

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See video coverage of Florida State's salute to its veterans here

Today, an estimated 450 veterans are enrolled at Florida State. Among them is junior Luke Murphy, who was recognized as a "Wounded Warrior" during the FSU v. Boston College football game October 16, 2010. Also recognized was FSU graduate and U.S. Army SSgt. Patrick Zeigler, who was shot four times in the violent shootings at Fort Hood.

A military hero whose name is a permanent part of the Florida State campus is Michael Scott Speicher (B.S. '80, Business Administration), who was shot down in the opening hours of the first Persian Gulf was in 1991. Florida State named its tennis center, which opened in 1993, in his honor.

The university's rolls have included dozens of alumni who became top-ranking military leaders, among them several recent "Grads Made Good," chosen by FSU's Circle of ODK National Leadership Honor Society. The designation is bestowed on Florida State alumni who have achieved outstanding success in their fields at the national or international level.

Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenbeck (ret.) (M.S. '78, Exercise Physiology), who served as the 57th superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., was honored as a 2010 "Grad Made Good." Before becoming superintendent, Hagenbeck served as the Army's deputy chief of staff, G-1, and in numerous staff positions. He is one of many military alumni who have spoken at Florida State commencement ceremonies.

The 2009 list of "Grads Made Good" included alumna Carol J. Cooper (B.S. '73, M.S. '76, Accounting; J.D. '77), who served 27 years with the U.S. Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps, rising to the rank of captain. Appointed an appellate judge to the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Appeals, she was soon appointed the commanding officer of the Naval Legal Service Office-Pacific. To cap her military career, Cooper became the senior counsel for the surgeon general of the Navy.

While many other names could be listed, Hagenbeck and Cooper are exemplars of top-ranking military officers, including numerous generals and admirals, who were educated at Florida State University.

Beyond services to veterans enrolled in traditional classes, Florida State University is a member of a national partnership of exceptional universities offering the "Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities." The program offers cutting-edge training in entrepreneurship and small business management to soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines disabled as a result of their service supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The intent of the EBV is to open the door to entrepreneurial opportunity and small business ownership by developing competencies in the many steps and activities associated with creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial venture. This is also achieved by helping veterans coordinate their efforts with programs and services for veterans and others with disabilities.

The entire Florida State University community is proud of all Seminoles who have served and are serving our country.