In the midst of fighting in Afghanistan, Joshua Webster was registering for classes at UCLA.
The 2009 UCLA alumnus started as a student six days after returning from the war.
On Wednesday morning, Webster was one of a number of speakers helping to celebrate an early Veterans Day in Wilson Plaza.
A large crowd filed the plaza for the event. After a trumpeted performance of the national anthem, an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet roared over Wilson Plaza. Guests clapped and cheered as it vanished over Janss Steps.
The annual ceremony, which was first started in 2006, was held this year by the Office of the Chancellor and the Departments of Military Science, Naval Science and Aerospace Studies.
“It’s no surprise that Veterans Day is so close to Thanksgiving,” Chancellor Gene Block said in a speech to the crowd. “We should thank our veterans. The real national debt we owe is to our veterans.”
“It’s a rooted tradition,” said 1st Lt. Devin Hart, recruiting flight commander for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
“UCLA shows its respect for what (Veterans Day) stands for and recognizes current veterans for their service.”
In speaking to the crowd about his experience as a Ranger in the armed forces and as a UCLA student, Webster recalled his first days returning to campus.
“It was a culture shock ““ but in a good way,” Webster said.
Once he had graduated from UCLA, Webster returned to the Air Force as a pararescueman. He said he is still undecided about his post-service career path.
“If you want to do something, like fight for your country, go overseas or write a book, you should do it,” Webster told the crowd.
As one of many of ROTC cadets present at the event, Paul Han, a fourth-year history student, was required to attend.
However, he said he would have gone anyway, because he enjoys hearing war stories from veterans.
“Class is important, but this happens once a year,” Han said.
Originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, the holiday became known as Veterans Day after World War II in memory of all veterans.
Han said he feels Veterans Day honors all soldiers, regardless of which side of the war they are fighting on.
“To me, it’s to honor people who gave the final sacrifice or a part of their lives to the service,” he said.
Angela Sanchez, a third-year history student, came to the event after hearing about it from one of her professors.
With two uncles who served in Vietnam and four great-uncles in World War II, her family has always considered Veterans Day to be important, she said.
“You always see the ROTC marching in the plaza,” Sanchez said. “I feel this (ceremony) benefits us as Bruins.”
For the actual holiday on Friday, each person will take a different approach to enjoying the holiday.
Sanchez said she will try to visit her uncle, who served in Vietnam. Han said he will be taking the day off to enjoy free admission to Knott’s Berry Farm.
Webster said he will be working to rebuild a house in Valencia for a disabled Iraqi veteran with a team of 40 people.
With reports by Kassy Cho, Bruin contributor.