Veterans Day Convocation honors service members, inspires students to pursue God’s calling

Liberty University’s Veterans Day Convocation on Friday morning featured a panel discussion in the Vines Center with U.S. Army veteran and Virginia Del. Nick Freitas and former Navy SEAL Team Leader Chadd Wright. Both shared their unique military experiences, spoke candidly about their transition into business and political influence, and encouraged students to pursue God’s calling with courage and obedience.

The panel was moderated by Liberty President Dondi E. Costin, a former Air Force Chief of Chaplains and retired Major General.

Friday’s Convocation began with the national anthem, performed by Liberty Associate Professor of Commercial Voice Studies Dr. Daryl Duff, a retired Navy Chief Musician who served over two decades as a soloist and vocalist with the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters Chorus.

The gathering was one of many ways Liberty is honoring veterans, active military, and their families as the university celebrates Military Appreciation Month.

“Romans 13 reminds us that we should give honor where honor is due,” Costin said. “That’s the same chapter in which we understand that the government’s job is to defend the right and punish the wrong. And our military is an extension of that government.”

Costin reminded the audience that there are 40,000 military-affiliated students at Liberty, over 15,000 on active duty, and many veterans who call Liberty their workplace. He then asked both panel guests why their vocations led them to the military.

For Freitas, it was a matter of service.

“There was always this idea that service was something that you did,” said Freitas, whose father served as a police officer and mother as a nurse. “I also think as a young man, I wanted to prove to myself that I could go into dangerous and difficult situations and handle myself accordingly.”

Freitas served in the 82nd Airborne Division, completed both Ranger and Sniper School, and went on to become a Green Beret before transitioning into public service.

“It was a difficult path for sure,” added Wright, who reminded students that before joining the military, he couldn’t swim, couldn’t pass the run test, and barely graduated high school. “I was the lowest common denominator and the most unlikely person to ever become a member of the most elite maritime fighting force on earth.”

Following his service as a Navy SEAL, Team Leader, SEAL instructor, and a Master Training Specialist, Wright started 3 of 7 Project, a business that teaches self-development and resilience. Wright was featured on the Joe Rogan Experience in July, the most popular podcast in the world.

“My passion in life that the Almighty has given me is to teach and train people,” Wright said. “That’s my true passion.”

Freitas recalled running for Congress against now Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, explaining how that election loss shaped him into a more influential person.

“I had to run to meet all of the people that were making what we are doing now possible, but I had to lose in order to do it,” said Freitas, who now has a following of over 2 million. “It is so easy to pick a noble mission and invite God to join you, when what we’re supposed to do is ask God what He’s doing and join Him. My job as a Christian, as a follower of Christ, is to be obedient to the purpose He puts in front of me.”

Wright challenged Liberty students to register for the Nov. 15 Liberty University Murph Challenge, a CrossFit exercise that honors the sacrifice of United States Navy SEAL Michael P. Murphy, who was slain in Afghanistan in 2005. Wright cited the importance of physical fitness in overcoming life’s many challenges.

“You have to prepare yourself to win,” he said. “Because if you win as an individual, your family wins. If your family wins, your communities win. If your communities win, our country wins.”

The Murph Challenge will be held at the Indoor Track Facility, and Wright and Freitas will both be keynotes. All proceeds from the event will benefit the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm in nearby Altavista, Va.

Convocation concluded with Costin unveiling a special seat in section 103 of the Vines Center that will remain permanently empty as a tribute to the more than 15,000 active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members currently enrolled at Liberty.

Liberty has a longstanding reputation of honoring the brave service members of its military students, spouses, and veterans by hosting a variety of military and veteran-themed events. During November, these include a Military Appreciation Football Game (Nov. 8), an Air Force ROTC 24-hour vigil (Nov. 13-14), an American Red Cross Blood Drive (Nov. 19-20), and the annual Murph Challenge (Nov. 15), among other events.

The Office of Military Affairs and the Veterans Center offer a variety of educational resources, support, and special events for military students and their families. To learn more, visit Liberty.edu/Military.

For more information on Military Appreciation Month events, email MilitaryOutreach@liberty.edu.