RALEIGH, N.C. - Hundreds of students from NC State University’s ROTC program and the Raleigh community gathered on campus for a sunrise run and service for Veterans Day.

The wreath laying ceremony took place at daybreak in front of the Memorial Belltower.

As our nation remembers 100 years since the end of World War I, many look to the school’s iconic belltower to reflect.

The belltower was built to honor 34 NC State alumni who died in World War I.

"We're all part of a continuous line and a continuous group of service members who have volunteered to serve our nation.  The 350 cadets you saw out here this morning have also volunteered and they're the next leaders of our country that will continue that service to our nation" said Brigadier General Allen Boyette of the NC Army National Guard.

Today, the 115-foot monument, called “a legend in stone,” is a symbol of the university and a rally point for the campus community.