Plymouth State University

PSU dedicated the Veterans Common on Saturday, June 27.

PLYMOUTH, N.H.-A Veterans Common honoring the service and sacrifice military veterans have made for our nation was dedicated Saturday, June 27 at Plymouth State University.

About 100 people—most of whom were military veterans—attended the dedication ceremony as part of PSU’s Alumni Weekend.

“It’s wonderful to dedicate the Veterans Common to honor those Plymouth State veterans who have served and are serving our country,” PSU President Sara Jayne Steen said. “Our veteran alumni and those who are current students exemplify our school motto Ut Prosim ‘That I may serve,’ and play an important role in defining this university.”

From left to right Plymouth State alumni and Vietnam veterans Phillip Meader ’79, Rick Fournier ’77, and Lindsey Hartshorn ‘75 attended the dedication ceremony of the Veterans Common at Plymouth State University Saturday, June 27.

Sponsored by Phi Beta Upsilon—a fraternity which was started by veterans for veterans at Plymouth State in the early 1970s—the Veterans Common project began two years ago. It was born from an idea suggested by Franklin Powers ’59, a retired colonel of the US Air Force, to hold a reunion for alumni who served in the military. As the reunion plans developed, the PSU Office of Alumni Relations worked to establish a place on campus to honor military alumni.

“This is a small token of our never-ending gratitude for your service,” Stephen King, president of the Phi Beta Upsilon Alumni Organization told the veterans. “The Common serves as a constant reminder of the sacrifices you have made.”

When Vietnam-era veterans returned home from active duty they often found the reception they received to be less than warm. Recognizing this, four veterans attending Plymouth State formed Phi Beta Upsilon to create an encouraging and supportive environment for other veterans on campus.

“The four founding members of this fraternity showed great foresight with their decision to create a safe place on campus for students who were returning from the war in Vietnam,” wrote U.S Senator Judd Gregg in a letter to commemorate the event. “This memorial dedication today provides validation to that original idea and a lasting tribute to all who serve in the uniform of our armed services.”

The Veterans Common, located between Hyde Hall and High Street on the PSU campus, features a round brick-lined circular walk with granite monuments inscribed with the seals of military service branches.

The PSU Alumni Association is also collecting oral histories from our alumni veterans to submit to the Veterans History Project. These collections of first-hand accounts will be archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for use by researchers and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come.

For more information about this release, contact Bruce Lyndes, PSU Media Relations Mgr., (603) 535-2775 or blyndes@plymouth.edu