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The chair of Widener University’s Board of Trustees paid tribute to American veterans during inspirational remarks at the university’s annual ceremony.

“Veterans throughout history have embodied the ideals on which America was founded,” said retired Gen. John Tilelli, a 1963 graduate of Pennsylvania Military College. He went on to list several of those ideals, including selfless sacrifice, pride, determination, integrity and dedication to duty. “They all serve for a cause bigger than themselves.”

Tilelli was the featured speaker at the ceremony, presented by the Dauntless Battalion, the ROTC unit based at Widener. The program also included a wreath laying.

Tilelli retired as a four-star general. He served as commander of the First Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas, where he trained, deployed and fought with the division in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also served two combat tours in Vietnam, as vice chief of staff of the Army, and as the Army’s deputy chief of operations.  He was commander in chief of the United Nations Command in the Republic of Korea.

President Woodrow Wilson declared Armistice Day to honor those who died in World War I, but in 1954, by Congressional act, Armistice Day was chartered to honor all veterans living and dead. Tilelli said the U.S. Armed Forces represent America’s best and brightest, and they make up less than one percent of the nation’s population.

“These are volunteers. They serve selflessly. Some serve for a career. Some serve for a short time, but they are all volunteers,” he said.

Tilelli encouraged the standing-room-only crowd in the Webb Room to pause and think about the ways veterans have sacrificed for our nation, and how we can honor them beyond thanking them for their service.

"They are America’s greatest,” he said.