Around 60 people attended an event that honored the college’s veterans with a flag ceremony and speeches, on Wednesday afternoon outside the Administration Building.

The ceremony was held to honor the soldiers from every military branch, as well as to provide a day of peace.

The event opened with a flag ceremony and with Emilie Lethooe, a Moorpark College student, singing the national anthem. Speakers, including College President Luis Sanchez and History Professor Sabrina Jimenez, spoke about the important contributions veterans make to the college and country.

“Our military is what keeps our peace and freedom,” Jimenez said. “Many of you have endured pain and we here at Moorpark appreciate you.”

Jimenez said institutions of higher education display veterans’ illnesses in a negative way and urged the attendees to remember veterans’ heroism and understand that their sacrifices guarantee our freedom and liberty.

Associated Students President Ashley Rasmussen created certificates for each veteran, which were handed out at the ceremony.

Afterward, the event continued at the Veterans Resource Center where there were refreshments and socializing. Gisele Ramirez, a counselor for veterans and coordinator of the event, said this year was the best-attended Veterans Day event in the five years she has hosted it.

“It was a great turn-out, I was pleasantly surprised,” Ramirez said.

Staff Sgt. Robert Felix, who works at the VRC, said his goal is to create awareness about veterans on campus.

“It felt good to represent the [veterans],” Felix said. “I wanted to bring more awareness to the campus that we have a veteran population.”

Navy Veteran Rhondon Jackson, who hails from Trinidad, was happy with the event.

“It is a good feeling, the service they gave to us, I didn’t expect [it],” Jackson said. “It exceeded my expectations.”