Media Advisory

May 4, 2006

What: Closing ceremony for “The Living Wall” memorial containing names of all U.S. soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. A local veterans group led by John E. Spisso, civilian aide emeritus to the Secretary of the Army, will conduct a memorial service, including a eulogy and rifle salute.

When: Friday, May 5 at noon

Where: Katherine Mabis McKenna Center courtyard at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa.

Who: Members of the Seton Hill community, Greensburg community, local veterans and the families of fallen soldiers

Background: Seton Hill students, inspired by a class in Public Discourse, designed a temporary memorial to the 2,300 plus American soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, which they unveiled on May 1 at Seton Hill. Throughout the day on May 1, students, professors, and members of the Greensburg and Seton Hill community read the names of U.S. soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan and placed a “brick” made of paper for each soldier in a temporary wall. (The list of names was taken from www.militarycity.com.) The students, in their opening remarks on May 1, stressed that they were not making a statement for or against the war, but that “we are here to commemorate, not only their deaths in service to their country, but also their lives, in service to their country. By taking a few moments to read the name of each fallen soldier and place it on the Living Wall, we will dedicate these few hours today to their commitment and their heroism. But perhaps as well, we will dedicate a small part of ourselves to the understanding that freedom is expensive, that democracy must be participatory to assure that it is worth this price, and that by supporting our soldiers, regardless of our position on this or any war, we are being good citizens.”

All members of the media are invited to attend the activities listed above.

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Contact: Becca Baker, Associate Director of Media Relations
Phone: 724-830-1069/724-689-3599 (cell)/bbaker@setonhill.edu