The public is invited to a Veterans Day ceremony hosted by Lyon College in partnership with local veterans’ service organizations at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, in the Sloan Auditorium of Brown Chapel on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Rd. in Batesville.
The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Army veteran Bryan Norris of The Intimidator Group of Batesville.
During his military career, Norris served as team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, operations noncommissioned officer (NCO), combative master trainer, NATO Detachment noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC), Battlefield Coordination Detachment NCOIC, company first sergeant, and operations sergeant major. His assignments included Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Udeid Air Base, Qatar; Fort Hood, Texas; Lille, France; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Fort Shafter, Hawaii; and Ansbach, Germany.
Norris served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal 5th Award, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, NCO Professional Development Medal with numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 5, NATO Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, French National Defense Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, and Order of Saint Barbara.
Jerry Bowling, instructor of military science at Lyon College, will lead the ceremony.
Speakers also will include Senior Vice Commander Teddy Pipkin of the VFW Department of Arkansas; Rick Elumbaugh, mayor of Batesville; and Dr. Melissa P. Taverner, president of Lyon College.
Dr. Brooks Blevins, historian-in-residence at Lyon College, will share information on Lyon College’s military history. Bowling and his ROTC students will discuss the significance of the POW/MIA table.
Grace Huey will sing the National Anthem, and U.S. Army veteran Randy Morrison will sing “God Bless the USA.” College Chaplain Rev. Maggie Alsup will conduct the opening and closing prayers. Jimmy Bell, director of the Lyon College Pipe Band, will perform an all call featuring “Scotland the Brave.” The Lyon College ROTC will present the colors.
Following the service, there will be a complimentary barbecue luncheon for veterans, family members, and friends on the south lawn of Brown Chapel at Lyon College.
A federal holiday, Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11 and honors those who have served and are serving in the U.S. armed forces. Veterans Day has its origins at the end of World War I when at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the fighting ended with the signing of an armistice.
Information provided by Lyon College / File image
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
