When Edwin Shumpert Sr., arrived on the campus of Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal (AM&N) College in 1966, he had just turned 16. On Veterans Day, the former Army captain returned to what is now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for a Veterans Day celebration.
Shumpert, the featured speaker, is a 1970 graduate from AM&N. He and his wife, Dorothy, returned to Arkansas in 2021 and live in Sherwood, according to his biography.
“Today we’re gathered here to honor all those who gave their lives and all those who have risked their lives so that our nation might remain free,” Shumpert told an audience of veterans, faculty, staff, students and visitors from the community gathered at the UAPB STEM Conference Center.
“And we also honor those who continue to serve even today at this very moment across the United States and across the world,” he said.
Student Government Association President Caleb Williams presided over the event. The Rev. Darren Edgerson, pastor of St. Peter’s Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, delivered the invocation. Bruce McGowan, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, gave a greeting, according to a news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“To speak to you today is a special event for me and a privilege because when I come back to UAPB or AM&N, it always looks like I’m coming home,” said Shumpert, who served as the keynote speaker.
Shumpert said that his life really did not get started until he arrived at AM&N, a mere five months after his 16th birthday. He said that although he was most likely the youngest on campus back then, he may be the oldest now, with his 75th birthday approaching in a few months.
He shared that UAPB is special to him because it’s where he made the best three decisions of his entire life. The first was choosing to attend AM&N College even though most people were heading to Jonesboro, which was only 30 miles from his hometown in northeast Arkansas. The second-best decision was asking the young lady who sat behind him in biology class to be his wife. The audience applauded as he shared that he had been married for 57 years.
The third decision was to become a member of the first group of 23 students who helped inaugurate the ROTC program at UAPB.
“I tell people that was the year of college unrest. Riots were occurring on campuses across the country because of the Vietnam War. Twenty-three of us basically volunteered knowing that we would probably go to Vietnam, and of course, all of us wanted to go,” Shumpert said.
He added that they were ridiculed by some of their roommates and friends who asked why they were wearing that “monkey suit” and why they wanted to “go and fight for the man?”
“We incorporated a program here (at UAPB) that has grown and become a significant benefit to almost 700 cadets that have received commissions and have gone on to either have careers in the military or civilian life. I am very proud of having started my career in military service right here on this campus on June 1, 1970, along with 23 others. And reportedly, in its 57-year history, I am still the youngest cadet graduate to date because I was 20 years old, two and a half months,” Shumpert said.
Shumpert continues to credit the program for providing him with the training, leadership, self-discipline, problem-solving skills and time spent on active duty. He views these as keys to numerous successes that he has achieved in his life, according to his biography.
Shumpert said that UAPB’s ROTC program has produced top ranking officers: retired Lt. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee and Brigadier General Tomika Seaberry. He added that female cadets were not part of the program when the program started.
“We are here to talk about all those who have served, have worn a uniform for our country throughout the years, and all of those who are currently still serving because we owe them a debt of gratitude for what they do every day to look after us. I call those ordinary people who go forward and do extraordinary things,” Shumpert said.
He shared data, statistics and trends that reflected the sobering reality of hardships experienced and sacrifices made. He said that about five percent of those who serve in the armed forces are individuals under 21 years of age, who were not born in the United States, may not be citizens, but still choose to fight for the U.S.
“As we sit here today, as we prepare to enjoy the largest gathering of family members in about two weeks called Thanksgiving, where we’re going to go down to grandma’s house, have our turkey and dressing, sweet potato pie, and turnip greens, there are people in uniform at 271 embassies around the world standing guard on watch, and some of them are 18 years old,” Shumpert said.
When military spouses constantly move, it is sometimes difficult for that spouse to find a job because employers know that they will not be living in that community for long. According to a 2023 survey, one in five military families have had to visit a food pantry at least once, Shumpert said.
“So again, we owe them a great debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they make for us every day. Where do we find such individuals who are willing to do that for us? They give of themselves to be something greater than themselves on behalf of someone else,” he said.
Shumpert then did a demonstration that gave a series of verbal commands recognized only by military personnel. Upon hearing the commands, several individuals throughout the room stood up and saluted Shumpert. They included what previously appeared to be everyday faculty, staff, students and local community members. Suddenly, the audience recognized that they were among military members, some dressed in regular clothes. Upon the realization, the audience began to clap their hands.
Ltc. Col. Nicolai Birch, Director of Military Science at UAPB, later noted that one-third to half of the room stood up. However, he revealed that only 1% serve in the military nationwide.
“One percent of the citizens of this country and a few who are gaining green cards and so on to serve have served in the military,” Birch said.
He mentioned that Arlington National Cemetery hosts a ceremony for the Unknown Soldier. But more importantly, there are veterans who are still here, who are able to enjoy life every day, he said.
“The kindergartners at one of my children’s schools said it best when they said that the best thing you can do for veterans is thank them every time you see them, shake their hands, and color them a picture,” Birch said.
Shumpert urged the audience to never forget to thank service members.
“That is what this day (Veteran’s Day) is about. Recognize the contributions that others have made. Recognize the contributions that others are making every day on our behalf. That’s what the 11th day of the 11th month and today here at UAPB, at the 11th hour. Never forget to thank them for their service.”
Shumpert quoted General Douglas MacArthur’s farewell speech, presented on May 12, 1962, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point as he retired.
“Duty, honor, country,” Shumpert said. “Every veteran takes those words extremely seriously. I would ask that as they honor us with their service that we do not forget to honor them. God bless our troops. God bless this great university. And God bless the United States of America.”
Shumpert also worked in the civilian sector.
After leaving active military service, Shumpert earned a Master of Business Administration Degree from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in 1974 and was recruited by the Weyerhaeuser Co. to work as an accountant at its wood products manufacturing operations in Oklahoma, according to his biography.
After working 20 years and different positions at Weyerhaeuser, he experienced entrepreneurship for five years before accepting other management positions as divisional finance manager at Waste Management & Republic Waste in Dallas; senior contract manager and assistant director of development with the City of Fort Worth; CFO at Peterson Wholesale Foods in Auburn, Wash.; and Washington state director of Toll Finance in Seattle, according to his biography.