Members of the Lyon College ROTC present the colors to open the Veterans Day ceremony, paying tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for the nation.
Lyon College marked Veterans Day last week with a ceremony and luncheon honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans, drawing students, faculty, staff, and community members to campus for the annual event.
The program featured musical performances, tributes, and reflections from guest speakers on the meaning of the day. Joshua Morrison, veteran service officer for Independence and Izard counties, delivered the keynote address. Morrison, a U.S. Army veteran and former military policeman, served assignments in Germany and at Fort Stewart, Georgia, with deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, and Washington, D.C., during the Sept. 11 attacks.
Morrison spoke about the resilience of those who serve and the importance of supporting veterans as they transition to civilian life.
The ceremony opened with a performance by Lyon College Pipe Band member Thaddeus Wirges, followed by the presentation of the colors by ROTC Military Science Instructor Jerry Bowling and the Lyon College ROTC. Chamber Choir member Vera Richardson performed the national anthem, and Chaplain Maggie Alsup offered the invocation and benediction.
Lyon College President Melissa P. Taverner welcomed guests, and the Chamber Choir, directed and accompanied by Dr. Bethany Neese, performed “America the Beautiful.” The program also included a presentation on the significance of the POW/MIA table by Bowling and ROTC members.
Sponsors of the event included the Harry B. Stokes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4501, Rear Adm. Robert “Bob” Carius and Willis Funeral Service.
Images via Lyon College
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