The college president said a few words. Students placed a pairof wreaths at the trio of stone war memorials. A crystal clearrendition of taps cut the cold morning air from around thecorner.

With one hand, Wesson’s Betty Kemp wiped away tears. With theother she held firmly to the U.S. flag that was draped over herfather’s casket 38 years ago.

“I wanted him to be here with me,” Kemp said. “When they playedtaps he was really right here with me.”

For Kemp, Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Veterans Dayprogram was moving and meaningful. She brought U.S. Army Pfc.Hubert Martin Dodd’s final flag out into the light from its quietplace of honor in her home for the first time since it was placedin its solemn box in 1972.

Given the changes taking place in her life, it was important theold soldier and his values be represented at the service.

Her father, a World War II veteran, always wanted her to have agood education, but the distractions of youth got in the way – shedodged college and got married instead. It was a decision thatbackfired with a divorce, leaving her to raise three children alonewhile working a hard life as a carpenter in New Orleans for manyyears.

Now she understands what her father meant. Kemp, at age 67, is afirst-year student at Co-Lin.

“Because of the strengths and the moral fiber that went into mybeing, the things he showed me about how to live life, he’sinspired me,” Kemp said. “Veterans Day is not for the older vets,it’s about the young people. They need to understand what my fatherunderstood.”

Kemp was one of a few dozen Co-Lin students and faculty memberswho were excused from 8 a.m. classes Thursday to attend the WessonCampus Veterans Day Emphasis, a simple reception and wreath-layingceremony meant to bring the school’s veterans together.

Tim Lea, assistant dean of career tech and the college’sVeterans Administration certifying official, said the inauguralceremony is important for Co-Lin, especially considering thecollege’s close ties to military tradition. The campus once hostedbasically its own National Guard unit – the 854th MedicalCollecting Unit, made up almost exclusively of Co-Lin staff andstudents in the late 1940s. The few remaining members still show upin Wesson for class reunions.

Co-Lin was the only college in Mississippi to receive grantfunds from The Mission Continues organization to host such aceremony, and the funds were awarded due in large part to Co-Lin’scontinued status as a “military-friendly” school, recognized byG.I. Jobs.

“Ultimately, this is Co-Lin’s way to say, ‘Thanks, veterans. Weknow you’re here, and we know what you’ve done for us.'”

No one at Co-Lin has to look too long to find a vet to say”thanks” to.

Lea said the college has about 90 student veterans, mostlyNational Guard soldiers from around Southwest Mississippi.

“And we’ve got more coming in with spring registration,” hesaid. “Because of the post-9/11 G.I. Bill, we’ve seen a bigincreases in veteran enrollment because of the ways those benefitscan be used.”

Veteran students are more than just learners in uniform, saidCo-Lin President Dr. Ronnie Nettles. He pointed out that veteranstudents often have a higher focus, a stiffer work ethic and highinitiative when compared to out-of-high school students.

“Vets really strengthen our education. To have them back on thiscampus helps our students,” Nettles said. “We want to do the rightthings to support the military and our veterans.”

Nettles said events like Thursday’s also help local veteransconnect. The assumption is that all veterans know each other, hesaid. They don’t.

That’s why Pfc. Olivia Jones, a 32-year-old from Crystal Springswho’s a member of the 106th Brigade Support Battalion, Company C,showed up in uniform.

“I just came out to support the veterans,” she said. “Eventslike this give the vets a place to come, and it lets them knowthey’re appreciated and honored.”