Ohio University students and their families braved the October rain Saturday at an event honoring United States service members.
The Ohio Army National Guard, OU Army ROTC and U.S. Army Recruiting Command brought Heroes Day to Athens during Parents Weekend.
The event, held at Rocky Bobcat Student Park, featured free food and drinks. The celebration included a DJ, cornhole, numerous inflatables and other games.
Phil Carden, account executive for OU Athletics, helped organize the event.
“Heroes Day offers a great opportunity for the university to partner with those who risk their lives for our country,” Carden said. “Not only that, Heroes Day also honors those who are about to start their journey in the military.”
Taylor Redecker, a freshman studying mechanical engineering, is a member of ROTC at OU.
“Heroes Day stands for so much and honors all military personnel, veterans and future soldiers who are going to be enlisting soon,” he said. “The event also gets our name out there and serves as a recruiting tool to help us advertise.”
Laura Custer, a senior studying accounting, came to the event with seniors Andrew Junior and Brittany Meglich.
The trio played back-to-back cornhole matches and took pictures on the inflatables.
“I think Heroes Day is a good way for students to have something to do that’s positive and constructive,” Custer said.
Junior said he appreciates the fact that OU has a ROTC program.
“It is a positive program outside of classes that teaches responsibility, discipline and other great qualities,” he said.
Rocky Boots, manufacturer of outdoor and occupational footwear, helped sponsor Heroes Day.
“The people at Rocky Boots are a huge supporter of the National Guard and ROTC, and they helped make this event happen, and I would like to thank them for their support,” Carden said.
bc822010@ohiou.edu
