Copyright Lewiston Morning Tribune
MOSCOW — Three hundred and eighteen flags adorned the University of Idaho Administration Building’s northwest lawn Tuesday as more than a hundred people gathered there to celebrate Veterans Day. The flags represented former UI students who died while serving in the military, dating back to the Spanish American War. UI President Scott Green said during the university’s annual Veterans Day ceremony that each flag “epitomizes our commitment to the military and who we are as the Vandal family.” That Vandal family includes Green’s grandfather, Leon Green, who was a WWII veteran who spent his career at UI. Retired Army Lt. Col. Matt Johnson, a Lewiston native, told the story of Green during Tuesday’s ceremony. Green came to UI on a football scholarship and began teaching there after his family put down roots in Moscow. After WWII broke out, he joined the Navy and was stationed in the Philippines to direct the Army’s health, welfare and recreation programs. “For anyone that has led and commanded troops, or studied military welfare, a military is only as good as its people,” Johnson said. “Our troop’s health and morale is our biggest combat multiplier.” When he came back to Moscow, Green shaped UI’s health sciences and recreation programs, Johnson said. He served as UI’s athletic director in the 1970s. Johnson said Green was a “pioneer” in promoting physical education as essential to physical and mental wellbeing. He assisted in the building of UI’s Physical Education Building, Kibbie Dome and Swim Center. “But more importantly, he built a culture that puts students first, and his legacy lives on in the programs, the people and the values we uphold today,” Johnson said. Johnson said there are many veterans like Green who continued serving their communities after the military as teachers, coaches, volunteers and public servants. “They bring their leadership, their skill, resilience and compassion to every corner of our communities,” he said. Johnson also expressed gratitude to the spouses of service members. They are the ones, he said, who hold the family together while the soldiers are on duty. “As bootlaces are tied, a partner’s putting on baby booties,” he said. “As one stands in formation, a partner’s getting kids ready for school.” Before a wreath was laid in front of the 318 flags Tuesday, Johnson thanked veterans once more for their service. “We are better because of you,” he said. Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.
