Former Lt. Col. Robert J. Darling tells his Mississippi State audience about his experiences in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, 2001. He encouraged the university family to thank veterans for defending democracy and the American way of life at his Thursday presentation, just one of several Veterans Day observances on campus over the next week. MSU's Veterans Day Ceremony will be held Friday at 3 p.m. on the Drill Field. For a full list of activities, go to www.msstate.edu.