ULM logo
ULM Veterans Appreciation Ceremony honors campus veterans and active-duty military

Published Nov. 11, 2020

On an unseasonably warm November afternoon, the University of Louisiana Monroe held a Veterans Appreciation Ceremony at Scott Plaza. ULM students, faculty, and staff who are veterans or active-duty military were recognized on Veterans Day.

 

sample
 
PHOTO: U.S. Army Capt. Earnestine Fleming, left, was the guest speaker at ULM's Veterans Appreciation Day Ceremony on Nov. 11, 2020, at Scott Plaza. ULM students, faculty, and staff were recognized at the event.
Sid Gaulee/ULM Photo Services

 

 

 

 

Cadets with Warhawks ROTC opened the ceremony with the Presentation of the Colors. Under the direction of ULM ROTC instructor Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Mims, cadets in the Color Guard were Sidney M. Jones, Color Guard Commander; Adam D. Beard, Rifleman; Brandon C. Brown, Rifleman; Naomi R. Byrd, Army Flag Bearer; Breanna L. Jacobs, State Flag Bearer; and Karima D. Milano, American Flag Bearer.

 

Veteran Mark Johnson, Staff Sgt. E6, U.S. Army, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Miss ULM 2020-21 Allison Newton was flawless in her performance of the National Anthem.

 

ULM Professor of History Ralph Brown, Ph.D., gave the Presentation of Historical Significance, reminding the gathering that veterans are the reason he could speak freely to them because of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

 

Kelsey Bohl, Ed.D., executive director of Marketing and University Communications, introduced speakers President Dr. Ron Berry and Capt. Earnestine Fleming, a ULM alumna serving in the U.S. Army and an assistant professor of Military Science and ROTC instructor at ULM.

 

Berry recognized special guest, Retired Lt. Col. Ernest Bruce, a decorated Vietnam helicopter pilot and a retired ULM instructor, where he taught aviation for more than 25 years.

 

In her remarks, Fleming encouraged the support of ROTC students.

 

"We, and by we, I not only mean veterans but the community, the university, the families and the friends of future vets across the world, have been charged to pour into these young leaders," she said.

 

"To the community, it takes a village. We may wear the uniform, but you are the people who make it all possible. The ULM ROTC program is growing. If you see one of our cadets on campus, please feel free to become part of their village," Fleming said.

 

Treina Kimble, ULM Special Projects Officer and Title IX Coordinator, and a Lieutenant in the Navy, read ULM honorees' names. As she did, they came forward and were presented with a ULM pin with red, white, and blue ribbon and a commemorative mug by President Berry.

 

Faculty and staff veterans included Wendy Bailes, Spc., Army National Guard; Brett Bennett, 1st Sgt., Army and National Guard; James Coates, Senior Airman, Air Force; Jason Constant, Cmdr., Navy; Terrance George, Sgt., Army; Don Hoolan, Spc., Army; Mark Johnson, Staff Sgt. E6, Army; Joset Joyner, Sgt. 1st Class, Army and National Guard; Treina Kimble, Lt., Navy; Tamekia Knowles, Sgt., Army; Mark Nappier, E4 Sr. Airman, Air Force; Judy Naslund, Petty Officer 3rd Class; Ken Westerburg, Cpl., Amy and National Guard.

 

ULM students recognized were Mikayla Broadnax, Spc., Army; Alyson Chandler Gaiennie, Sr. Airman, Air Force 

Reserves; Luke Crawford, Pvt., Louisiana Army National Guard; Mitchell Estes, Sgt., Marines; Shae Hicks, Pvt. 2, Army National Guard; Kenny Marshall, Lance Cpl., Marines; Breck McCullen, E-5 Petty Officer 2nd Class, Navy; Stephanie Miller Luss, SSG, Army; James Perkins, Spc., Army; Michael Rucks, Lance Cpl. Marines; and Rich Shin, E-4 Spc., Army

 

The ceremony concluded with Noah Rampmaier, a ULM student and member of the School of Visual and Performing Arts Talons for Taps, performing the haunting melody from a grassy space under cypress trees.

 

Plunk's Wrecker Service brought a large American flag and POW/MIA flag, which flew in Warhawk Circle.


©