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Reflection of Service
Virginia Wesleyan students share military experience at College's annual Veterans Day Ceremony
By Stephanie Smaglo | November 11, 2015
Photo Gallery: 2015 Veterans Day Ceremony
(Photos by Janice Marshall-Pittman)
“My feelings about my service have deep roots,” United States Navy veteran and Virginia Wesleyan international studies major Kasey Dotson ’18 told guests at the College’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11.
“For me it was not just a job that paid the bills, or my means to a free education. It was my dream. Now that I am a veteran, I think it is important to reflect on our service and share our experiences with others.”
From 2008-2014, Dotson served as a member of the United States Naval Construction Forces—better known as the Seabees. During her service she was deployed three times, to Liberia, Afghanistan and a split-deployment between Djibouti and Ethiopia.
“We traveled to all corners of the world to build hospitals, schools, and dig wells for people who otherwise would go without. We made sure our war fighters, such as our Marines and Special Forces, had a place to lay their heads at night and a roof over their head.”
In Liberia’s capital city of Monrovia, her detachment was tasked with building a new laundry facility and renovating a pediatric ward for Redemption Hospital. She spoke of this deployment as being the “most difficult, life altering” experience of her life, referring to Liberia as one of the world’s forgotten areas.
“Along with trying to figure out how to live life after 14 years of civil war, their problems were compounded with hunger, malnutrition, disease, unemployment, and the depletion or complete non-existence of necessary infrastructure, such as waste disposal and clean water.”
Dotson tearfully spoke of Navy crew member and fellow Seabee, Joshua Dae Ho Carrell, who died from complications due to malaria in 2009.
“Losing him was devastating to us. Josh made the ultimate sacrifice while he was working to better the lives of the forgotten people. He deserves to be remembered and honored, not only today, but every day. Please don’t let us be forgotten.”
The Veterans Day Ceremony was held at the Campus Lawn and Memorial Garden and also featured an invocation by Luke Wentling ’18 and remarks by Navy veteran Jodi Chang ’15. The afternoon concluded with the singing of My Country, Tis of Thee led by Ajee Church ’16 and a Prayer of Thanksgiving by Dean Emeritus David Buckingham.