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Robert 鈥楴avy Bob鈥� Roncska Honors the Sacrifices of Veterans and Inspires Service to Others

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擱obert 鈥淣avy Bob鈥� Roncska, who served in the Nuclear Navy, the White House and in health care, was the guest speaker for 海角网鈥檚 Veterans Day Service on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. in Tucker Student Center. He delivered a tribute to veterans and their families, emphasizing that 鈥渇reedom is not free鈥攊t is paid for by courage, sacrifice, and love.鈥�

The 海角网 ROTC presented the colors to begin the service. The national anthem was performed by Dr. Robert Harrelson, a retired senior master sergeant from the U.S. Air Force and a 海角网 adjunct voice faculty member.

海角网 President Nate Evans gave the welcome and invocation. 鈥淎s a University community, we are proud to stand with our veterans, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, and neighbors whose service and sacrifice continue to inspire us,鈥� Evans declared. 鈥淭o each veteran here, and to all who have served, we say, 鈥楾hank you. Your example reminds us what it means to live with purpose, integrity and devotion鈥攄evotion to something greater than ourselves.鈥欌��

Roncska recognized the sacrifices veterans and their families are called to make, such as missed birthdays and times of anxious waiting. As a retired Navy leader who served 28 years in the nuclear submarine force, he highlighted the sacrifices of submariners, noting that during World War II, the submarine force lost 52 vessels and 3,500 men. 鈥淪o many never came home,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淭hey gave their one and only life so that they we could live ours in freedom. When you think about that kind of sacrifice, the sheer cost of liberty, it makes you pause and realize just how precious this life truly is.鈥�

Then, Roncska shared that the odds of being born are 鈥渙ne in 400 trillion.鈥� Considering, the odds of winning the lottery are one in 292 million, he challenged the audience: 鈥淵ou already hit the jackpot. What are you doing with your winnings?鈥� Roncska continued, 鈥淲hose life will you touch with your presence? Whose pain will you ease with your experience? Whose day will you change with your compassion?鈥�

The speech also included a personal story of helping a sailor and his wife overcome bureaucratic obstacles to start a family. 鈥淭hat was my greatest accomplishment in life,鈥� Roncska said, after receiving a photo of their daughter Caroline and a note that read, 鈥淵ou and God are the only reasons why my sweet Caroline is here.鈥�

Quoting Mr. Rogers鈥斺�淟ove and success, always in that order鈥濃�擱oncska emphasized that true leadership is rooted in service. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e leading a team, a classroom, or a family, success comes when we care for one another,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur legacy isn鈥檛 what we鈥檝e done for ourselves, but what we have done for others. As I told the students earlier this morning, at 海角网 you get so much more than an education. You get a lesson in life鈥攐f service to others, which is the greatest gift you could ever have gotten.鈥�

The program closed with 海角网 senior Lindy Bryson singing America the Beautiful, and a prayer by Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service Dr. Josh Parrott.

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at .