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ULM
Officials Receive Flags From War
Jerry
Hurst, an officer with the University Police Department at
ULM
was sent to
Afghanistan
in December of 2003 along with three other UPD
officers. Shortly afterwards,
Hurst
received a package from his colleagues at the
UPD. It contained the usual things: shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, baby
wipes, and cookies. But, the package, put together by UPD’s Lt. Peter
Lindsey, also contained a
ULM
bandana and a
ULM
flag.
Hurst
, assigned to Charlie Company of the 528th
Engineering Battalion in
Monroe
, said he was overwhelmed when the package
arrived. “Our unit replaced the 205th Engineering Battalion from
South Louisiana
. They had LSU flags flying everywhere.”
“There
are 12
ULM
alumni and students serving in Charlie Company
with me,”
Hurst
said. “We were thrilled to see the
ULM
flag.” All twelve signed the flag, which flew
beside the American flag in
Kandahar
,
Afghanistan
.
Both
flags were presented to Dr. James Cofer at a ceremony held on June 25 at
the library.
The
box, which holds the American flag, bears these words: “This American
flag is dedicated to the
University
of
Louisiana
at
Monroe
. It was flown on a combat mission in an AH-64
Apache Attack Helicopter in the face of the enemy and bears witness to the
resolve of
U.S.
forces in contact with terrorist forces
threatening the freedom of the
United States of America
and the world.”
“I
am proud of these
ULM
employees and students,” Dr. Cofer said.
“It is a privilege to accept the two flags on behalf of the university.
We appreciate them and especially Sergeant Hurst for thinking of us during
his time in the
Middle East
. We have approximately 357 students who receive
military benefits. Many of these are stationed in
Iraq
and
Afghanistan
. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and
their families.”
Charlie
Company is stationed in
Afghanistan
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“None of us ever expected the terrorist attacks on
September 11, 2001
. But, we answered the call out of respect for
those who lost their life in that attack.”
Hurst
said “We’re ready to get this mission over
and come back home and get on with our lives.”
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