A ribbon on the EMU campus.
Courtesy of EMU
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Trees on the Eastern Michigan University campus are bearing large, yellow ribbons in remembrance of 255 veterans from the state who lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Students who served in the U.S. military tied the ribbons this week across the Ypsilanti school's campus.
Each plastic ribbon lists the soldier's name, hometown, the operation they served in and the date they died. The ribbons will adorn trees over the weekend and will be taken down Tuesday.
They are "silent reminders" of the sacrifices made by servicemen and servicewomen, said Ida Mollett, of the school's Veterans Services office.
The intent is for students and staff to read the names on the ribbons and reflect on them.
"You're going to class, but someone else your age is not because they paid the ultimate price," Mollett said.
Eastern Michigan has one of the state's largest veteran student populations. The school's Vet Connect Program extends in-state tuition to veterans throughout the country.
Read more information on the EMU website.