Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

County News

Southeast honors first responders and military during Patriot Day ceremony

Amanda Woods, Military and Veterans Services officer, presents Jackson Police Officer Michael Shy a military challenge coin. Woods and University President Carlos Vargas presented the coins to area first responders with help from Woods’ son, Zeke. Photo by Gregory Dullum

Southeast Missouri State University observed Patriot Day with a ceremony Friday morning in front of Academic Hall.

A 20th-year commemoration ceremony was held to remember those who died during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor today’s military and first responders.

The lawn in front of Academic Hall was decorated with 2,977 small American flags, each one representing a life lost in those terrorist attacks. They had been placed on the lawn by students and staff, the Office of Military and Veterans Services and Show-Me Gold and Air Force ROTC Detachment 205 cadets.

First responders from various local agencies stood in a long line facing the large flagpole on the front lawn. They saluted as the Southeast Show Band began the ceremony by performing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Show-Me Gold program participants and Air Force ROTC cadets lowered the flag to half-staff as “Taps” was played. A moment of silence followed.

Amanda Woods, Military and Veterans Services officer, welcomed everyone to the ceremony, and Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of the university, gave a short address stressing the need for national unity like the unity Americans felt following the attacks 20 years ago.

Local law enforcement, firefighters, medical first responders and military personnel were honored with a special recognition at the conclusion of the ceremony. Woods and Vargas presented military challenge coins to them.

Military challenge coins date back to World War I, Woods explained. Pilots carried coins stamped with the insignia of their squadrons.

One American pilot, who was shot down by the Germans behind enemy lines, was captured by the French army. When the French soldiers saw his challenge coin, they realized he was an American and an ally; the coin saved his life.

Now, military challenge coins are presented in recognition of great service to those who go above and beyond.

The front of the coin bears the logo of the Office of Military and Veterans Services — a Redhawk image in front of an American flag.

The back of the coin has representations of the four terrorist targets—the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a “93” for United Airlines flight 93 that crashed near Shanksville, PA, when passengers overpowered the terrorist hijackers. The back of the coin also has symbols representing the police, fire, emergency medical services and the military.

The ceremony was an effort by the University community to ensure that Americans never forget the fallen, first responders and military members who sacrificed their time and lives due to the terrorist attacks.

This year’s 20th Year commemoration included a “Heroes Challenge” at the Student Recreation Center Sept. 9-10. Participants attempted to climb 1,920 steps, the equivalent to the number of steps firemen climbed during rescue attempts in the stairwells of the 110-story Twin Towers before they collapsed.

Gregory Dullum has worked for The Cash-Book Journal for more than 25 years. Prior to becoming the editor in May 2017, he was production manager, circulation manager and reporter. Before moving to Cape Girardeau in 1988, he was editor of the Saint Louis Park Sailor, a weekly community newspaper in suburban Minneapolis, MN. A native of Minnesota, he returned there after graduating with distinction in 1978 from Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA, with a degree in mass communications. His wife, Marie, whom he met in college, is a native of Zalma, a small town in southeast Missouri. They have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. Gregory may be reached at cashbook@mvp.net.

You May Also Like

City News

A 26-year-old Mississippi man was disarmed, arrested and charged with murder following an early morning shooting spree on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at the Town...

City News

A 58-year-old Jackson man drowned after going into Jackson City Park’s Rotary Lake during the July 4th firework show Sunday night. The man’s body...

City News

Americans frustrated by the policies of the current administration in Washington have let their feelings be known in large sporting venues across the country...

Education

Former Jackson High School athletes will soon be honored in a new hall of fame program approved by the Jackson R-2 School Board during...