Lyon College will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, inviting the public to gather in tribute to veterans and military service members.
The event, set for 11 a.m. in the Sloan Auditorium of the Brown Fine Arts Building on Lyon’s Batesville campus, will feature retired Rear Adm. Robert Carius as keynote speaker.
Carius, a decorated naval aviator with a 34-year career in the U.S. Navy, has a storied service history, including six deployments to the South China Sea during the Vietnam War and participation in NASA’s Apollo X and Skylab II recovery missions.
Following the ceremony, Lyon College will host a complimentary barbecue luncheon for all veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Community members are welcome to join the luncheon for $10, with proceeds benefiting Lyon’s veterans’ initiatives.
Adm. Carius’ distinguished military career includes commanding missions that de-mined Haiphong Harbor in Vietnam, for which he was twice awarded the Legion of Merit. In addition to his military service, Carius has long been active in Independence County and Batesville, including serving 15 years as president of the Dota Water Association, where he oversaw the construction of a water treatment plant. He also led the Batesville Downtown Foundation to transform historic sites like the Barnett building into the Independence County Library.
A scholar with a strong educational background, Rear Adm. Carius holds bachelor’s degrees in Naval Science and Aeronautical Engineering, as well as a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from Iowa State University. He met his wife, Geraldine Sullivan, in Monterey, California, during his postgraduate studies. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage until her passing in 2009, raising six children and welcoming nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
“Veterans Day is a time to recognize and express gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who served in the military,” said Pamela Palermo, Lyon College’s senior director of conferences and event services. “We are proud to honor our veterans and their families with this special program.”
Lyon College will also spotlight veteran-owned businesses at the event. Interested business owners can contact Pamela Palermo at pamela.palermo@lyon.edu.
The Lyon College Veterans Day program will be held at 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. The event is open to the public.
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP for the Veterans Day ceremony and barbecue by clicking here.
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