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The University of Virginia (UVA) has cancelled its tradition of honoring fallen veterans with a 21-gun salute on Veterans Day, citing concerns that it will disrupt classes and frighten students.

Despite the objections of veterans, UVA is adamant about its decision, local NBC affiliate WVIR reports:

“The University of Virginia is coming under fire over a decision to change a part of its annual Veterans Day ceremony. The university will still hold a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, but it will no longer include the 21-gun salute. It's a decision UVA leaders say will not change. …. "One is that it would be disruptive to classes and two unfortunately with gun violence in the U.S., there was some concern that we would cause a panic if someone heard gunshots on grounds," said UVA President Jim Ryan.”



ROTC cadets had performed the 21-gun salute at the end of a 24-hour Veterans Day vigil for more than a decade.



