A 6-foot-tall scene of naval fleets sailing and aircrafts flying across a bright blue sky will now greet UF Navy ROTC members as they walk into their building.
About 40 students, faculty members, active duty members and veterans attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new mural dedicated to the alumni of the UF program Thursday morning at Van Fleet Hall.
“We are reminded here today how much our military does to protect us,” UF President Kent Fuchs said during his speech.
Jennifer Fillebrown, a 20-year-old UF aerospace engineering junior, and Lynn Arthur, a 20-year-old UF mathematics junior, began brainstorming mural ideas when the executive officer of Navy ROTC wanted the wall to be painted.
The two Navy ROTC members worked on the mural for more than seven weeks over the summer, Fillebrown said.
The students wanted to represent the Navy and Marine Corps to appeal to future recruits, Fillebrown said. Her main inspiration for the design of the mural was Navy ROTC’s new recruitment slogan: “Forged by the Sea.”
“Here we are not forged by the sea,” Fillebrown said. “We’re forged by the swamp and this program we all go through.”
Andrew Kraemer, a 19-year-old UF business administration freshman, said he came to the event to show his respect and appreciation for those who served.
“It is very humbling knowing this university has produced so many heroes,” Kraemer said.
