The celebration, held each year on the Thursday before Veterans Day, brings together the BT天堂campus and Conway community to recognize and show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of veterans across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

鈥淭his event is a powerful reminder of the courage, commitment and sacrifice of our nation鈥檚 veterans,鈥� Greg Pelts, director of the BT天堂Veterans and Military Resource Center, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also an opportunity for our campus and community to come together in gratitude and to ensure our veterans know they are supported and valued year-round.鈥�

During the afternoon ceremony, Brigadier General Chad Bridges delivered keynote remarks, and BT天堂hosted a swearing-in ceremony for 20 new military recruits enlisting in the U.S. Army, Air National Guard, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. The program also included musical performances by UCA鈥檚 Pinnacle Brass and vocalist Sydney Siler.

U.S. Army recruits being sworn in during UCA鈥檚 Veterans Day Celebration.

Air National Guard recruits being sworn in during UCA鈥檚 Veterans Day Celebration.

Army ROTC cadets being sworn in during UCA鈥檚 Veterans Day Celebration.

Two BT天堂student veterans were recognized with scholarships in honor of their dedication and service. Dylan Nutt, a Marine Corps veteran in the Physical Therapy DPT program, received the Tidwell Scholarship from Mark and Tracy Tidwell, and Zachary Tarver, Army National Guard medic and Psychology major, received the Veterans Day Scholarship from the University of Central Arkansas Veterans Day Committee.

Dylan Nutt (center) received the Tidwell Scholarship from Tracy (left) and Mark Tidwell.

Zachary Tarver (right) received the Veterans Day Scholarship from the University of Central Arkansas Veterans Day Committee, presented by Greg Pelts, director of the BT天堂Veterans and Military Resource Center.

The event also featured a Veterans Information Fair with resources for veterans and military families, including employment opportunities, education benefits, VA home loans, disability claims and health care enrollment.

The Veterans Day Celebration is coordinated by the BT天堂Veterans Day Committee and the BT天堂Veterans and Military Resource Center, which provides education benefit support, transition assistance and community connections for student veterans, service members and their dependents.

More information about the BT天堂Veterans and Military Resource Center is available at uca.edu/veteranservices or by contacting 501-852-2999 or veteranservices@uca.edu.

The University of Central Arkansas is a military friendly campus. The BT天堂Veterans and Military Resource Center was established to maximize the experience of military connected students. The purpose of the center is to assist student veterans, currently serving military members, and their dependents to better understand and access the education benefits they have earned. Additionally, the center assists veterans in their transition to the civilian college environment so that they may be more successful.

The University of Central Arkansas will host its annual Veterans Day Celebration Thursday, Nov. 6, in McCastlain Hall Ballroom, featuring a Veterans Information Fair and a ceremony honoring U.S. military veterans and active service members.

鈥淭his event is a powerful reminder of the courage, commitment and sacrifice of our nation鈥檚 veterans,鈥� Greg Pelts, director of the BT天堂Veterans and Military Resource Center, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also an opportunity for our campus and community to come together in gratitude and to ensure our veterans know they are supported and valued year-round.鈥�

The Veterans Information Fair will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. The fair will feature a variety of organizations offering valuable information and assistance to veterans and military families, including employment opportunities, education benefits, VA home loans, disability claims and health care enrollment.

At 1:40 p.m., BT天堂will host a Veterans Day Ceremony recognizing the service and sacrifice of veterans across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The ceremony will include remarks from Brigadier General Chad Bridges, a swearing-in ceremony for new military recruits, and musical performances by UCA鈥檚 Pinnacle Brass and vocalist Sydney Siler.

During the ceremony, student veterans Dylan Nutt and Zachary Tarver will be awarded scholarships in recognition of their dedication and service.

Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. Both the fair and ceremony are free and open to the public.

More information about the event is available by contacting the BT天堂Veterans and Military Resource Center at 501-852-2999 or veteranservices@uca.edu.

The University of Central Arkansas is a military friendly campus. The BT天堂Veterans and Military Resource Center was established to maximize the experience of military connected students. The purpose of the center is to assist student veterans, currently serving military members, and their dependents to better understand and access the education benefits they have earned. Additionally, the center assists veterans in their transition to the civilian college environment so that they may be more successful.

2025 May Commencement

The University of Central Arkansas held spring commencement on Thursday, May 1, and Friday, May 2, 2025, in the Farris Center on campus.

The university conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and the Graduate School.

Graduates are listed below:

Faculty excellence awards were presented in the following areas:

Stephanie Rose, Department of Health Sciences, received the Public Service Award. The Public Service Award recognizes individuals whose service contributions to the BT天堂community, professional community and other communities outside the university have been outstanding. It is expected that individuals will have contributed both within and outside the university. Through service work such as volunteering for charitable organizations, serving on advisory boards, donating professional expertise, serving on committees and conducting outreach programs, these individuals have improved conditions within the community and enhanced the quality of life for all citizens.听

BT天堂President Houston Davis and Stephanie Rose

Kerry Jordan, School of Nursing, and Jason Trumble, Department of Teaching and Learning, were finalists for this award.听

Debbie Dailey, Department of Teaching and Learning, received the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award. The Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award recognizes individuals whose contributions to their disciplines have been exemplary. Through original work in research, scholarship or creative activities 鈥� such as performances and artistic productions 鈥� they have expanded human knowledge, interpreted the human experience or enhanced the quality of our lives.

The finalist for the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award was Matthew Moore, Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology.

Michael Rosenow, Department of History,听 received the Teaching Excellence Award. Faculty who have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in teaching are eligible for the Teaching Excellence Award. Recipients of this award strive to enhance student learning as they continually seek ways to improve their teaching.听

BT天堂President Houston Davis and Michael Rosenow

The finalists for the Teaching Excellence Award were Jessica Herring Watson, Department of Teaching and Learning, and Anna Park, Department of Psychology and Counseling.听

Other awards to outstanding faculty and staff were presented to the following individuals:听

Maria Negrete Padron, Office of Student Advocacy and Community,听 received the Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity Award. This award recognizes individuals whose commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence on and/or off campus has made a significant impact on various ethnic groups and diverse populations in a positive way. These individuals have improved conditions at BT天堂and within the community.

BT天堂President Houston Davis and Maria Negrete Padron

Finalists for the award were Juan Maefield, Department of History, and Greg Pelts, Veteran and Military Resource Center.

Stephanie Rose, Department of Health Sciences, received the Excellence in Grants Impact, Significance, and Stewardship award. The award promotes a culture of grant writing among faculty and staff and encourages grant recipients to track the impact of their grant work on individuals, the university, the community and their disciplines or fields of study.

BT天堂President Houston Davis and Stephanie Rose

Patrick Desrochers, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was honored with the Shumaker-Wright Undergraduate Mentorship Award. The University Honors Council created the award in 2022 in recognition of the importance of supporting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity. Supporting student participation in mentored research is an important component of the university鈥檚 mission. Furthermore, the undergraduate award is named in honor of Conrad Shumaker and Terry Wright, who had each mentored more than 20 undergraduate student capstone/thesis projects at the time of their retirements. The implementation of this mentorship award conveys the campus鈥檚 high regard for outstanding contributions made to the academic and research community.

BT天堂President Houston Davis and Patrick Desrochers

Ginny Adams, Department of Biology, Pamela Ashcraft, School Nursing, and Thomas Snyder, Department of Economics, Finance, and Insurance and Risk Management, were finalists.

Other presentations included the recipient of the Employee of the Year for 2024-25. The Employee of the Year is Treci Buchanan, College of Science and Engineering.听

BT天堂President Houston Davis and Treci Buchanan

Amanda Horton, executive director of Public Appearances, and Vicky Summers, university registrar, were finalists for the Employee of the Year award.听

The Employee of the Year is presented to a full-time staff member who has shown extraordinary performance to the university community over the past year. This person is a well-rounded employee who goes above and beyond and truly cares about students, colleagues and UCA. Any full-time staff member with two or more years of continuous service to the university prior to January 1 of the award year is eligible for this award.

Here are images from the ceremony:

Brigadier General Amanda Azubuike

Cliff Garrison

The University of Central Arkansas has selected Brigadier General Amanda Azubuike 鈥�93 and legendary basketball coach Cliff Garrison 鈥�62 to receive 2025 Distinguished Alumni awards at the annual Laurels & Stripes gala on Saturday, April 12.

Azubuike has served in the US Army for more than 36 years. She began her military career as a private in the Army National Guard in 1988 and drilled not far from BT天堂at Fisher Armory in North Little Rock. She received her commission in 1993 when she graduated from BT天堂with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communications. She entered flight school graduating in 1995, and began her active-duty career as a UH-1 helicopter pilot with the 924th Aviation Support Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., where she served as platoon leader. She later completed the Fixed-wing Multi-engine Qualification Course and flew the RC-12 Guardrail aircraft. As an aviator, Azubuike served in overseas missions including Sinai, Egypt and South Korea.

In 2005, Azubuike transitioned to public affairs, serving one year in Kuwait, followed by several deployments to the Middle East over the next five years. She earned a Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University in 2012, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in 2014.

Azubuike has continued serving the US Army in public affairs roles in locations abroad and at home. Last June, she became Chief of Public Affairs for the US Army, serving at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Azubuike is the only public affairs general in the Army.

Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster.

A native of Forrest City, Garrison earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in exercise and sport science in 1962 followed by a master鈥檚 degree in education in 1965. Garrison is a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the BT天堂Sports Hall of Fame, the Hendrix Sports Hall of Honor and the Forrest City Hall of Fame. He coached men鈥檚 basketball at Hendrix from 1972-2003. Including high school, his teams won 578 games, 463 at Hendrix, which made him the third-winningest college coach in the state when he retired. Garrison鈥檚 teams won five Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) championships.

Three times he was named AIC Coach of the Year, and twice he was chosen NAIA District 17 Coach of the Year. He is one of only a few men鈥檚 college coaches in Arkansas to win over 300 games.听 As athletic director in the 1990s, he helped lead Hendrix in the transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division III.

After retirement, Garrison helped create the Arkansas High School Basketball Coaches Association, which holds an annual clinic and activities to further the education and development of the state鈥檚 coaches. In 2015, Garrison received the Guardians of the Game award in Education by the National Association of Basketball Coaches at the NCAA Final Four.

In 2016, the Cliff Garrison Fellowship of Christian Athletes was organized to provide scholarships to Faulkner County student-athletes. Garrison continues to be involved in helping to raise funds for this program.

Information on Laurels and Stripes including how to purchase tickets, tables and sponsorships can be found at or reach out to the BT天堂Division of Advancement at 501-450-3197 or advancement@uca.edu for more information.

On Nov. 11, BT天堂will honor veterans with the Salute to Service basketball game against Hendrix College. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in conjunction with the Little Rock Air Force Base. All active and retired military will receive special $5 tickets with a valid ID. A ceremony with cadets taking their oath to join the United States Air Force will be conducted at halftime.

A list of additional events honoring veterans can be found at uca.edu/veteransday.听

On Nov. 3, students, faculty, staff and community members gathered on McAlister Lawn for an information fair and picnic that included more than 20 businesses and organizations providing employment opportunities, support, resources and services for veterans on the BT天堂campus and in the community.听

Airlifter Brass performs during the Veterans Day ceremony.

The annual Veterans Day event followed the information fair. Airlifter Brass, a brass quintet of the United States Air Force Band of mid-America, filled the atmosphere with songs of patriotism just before the start of the ceremony. The program began with the presentation of colors by the BT天堂ROTC Color Guard. Capt. Andrew Fisher served as the master of ceremonies.听

“This is one of the most important ceremonies of the year for us to not just honor veterans for their service, but to lift up those who are active duty, those who are dependents and their family members,” said BT天堂President Houston Davis. “At UCA, we don’t do anything alone. We are blessed to have a lot of support behind us. I’d like to thank Sen. [Missy] Irvin, Rep. [Stephen] Magie, Mayor [Bart] Castleberry, Judge [Jim] Baker, and all the folks who stand in support of the work of our university as we work to serve students and their families.”听

Mayor Bart reads a proclamation for Veterans Appreciation Day

Castleberry gave an update about the construction progress of Veterans Plaza at Pompe Park and read a proclamation for Veterans Appreciation Day.

“From the bottom of my heart and the heart of my family, thank you very much. This nation is great because of you,” Castleberry said.听听

Three students received recognition as scholarship recipients during the ceremony. Christopher McGee, a physical education major and Special Forces medic out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Emily Walsh, a biology major and combat medic assigned to the Arkansas Army National Guard, received $500 Veterans Day scholarships.

Tracy Tidwell presented the $1000 newly endowed Tidwell Veterans Scholarship. She and her husband, Mark Tidwell, created the scholarship more than ten years ago in memory of her father, Harry Vernon Midgett and in honor of Mark Tidwell’s father, John Tidwell.听

“Both of them felt so strongly about serving our country, and we wanted to honor them in some way,” Tracy Tidwell said. “This year, thanks to some of you and members of the community who have contributed to the fund, the scholarship is now endowed.”

Greg Pelts, director of the Veterans Resource Center, presents a certificate to Emily Walsh.

Tracy Tidwell and Mark Tidwell present a certificate to scholarship recipient Megan Rosser.

Megan Rosser, a staff sergeant who served more than 11 years in active duty Air Force and worked as a member of the security services, received the Tidwell Scholarship.听

Brigadier General Bradley J. Cox delivered the keynote address for the ceremony. Cox is the Director of Joint Staff, Arkansas National Guard, at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He served two tours of duty in Iraq between 2004 and 2009. His numerous awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Combat Infantry Badge.听听听

Brigadier General Bradley J. Cox delivers the keynote address.

“One of the very highest priorities we have as leaders 鈥� whether you’re the mayor, dean, professor, businessman or service member 鈥� is to create a climate in which the next generation of our nation’s leaders can succeed,” Cox said. “If you want really want to know what you can do to show your appreciation for the men and women who have served in uniform, do your part to ensure that any sacrifice made on behalf of our country is not made in vain. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have selflessly given to make sure our freedoms, our lifestyles, our form of government, and our ability to pursue happiness is protected. They have ensured and continue to ensure that you have the freedom to become the best you, you can be.”听

After Cox’s address, Airlift Brass played “Armed Forces Salute,” a medley of the anthems from each of the various branches of the military. Veterans stood as the band played their service song. The ceremony ended with a moment of silence in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for America, followed by a trumpeter from Airlifter Brass playing “Taps.”

The University of Central Arkansas will host its annual Veterans Day celebration on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. The event theme is 鈥淗onor and Education鈥� and will celebrate veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and feature notable speakers, food, live music and a veterans information fair.听

BT天堂has hosted an annual Veterans Day event for at least 25 years and draws about 300 visitors from around the state.听

The information fair will begin at noon on McAlister Lawn. Anyone interested in becoming an exhibitor at the information fair is welcome to fill out this form or contact Amanda Paladino at (501) 450-5043.

鈥淭he veterans information fair provides valuable information on employment opportunities, support and other services not only for veterans at BT天堂but also in the Conway community and surrounding areas,鈥� said Amanda Paladino, co-chair of the outreach fair subcommittee for UCA鈥檚 annual Veterans Day event. 鈥淚n the past, vendors and exhibitors have given helpful information covering anything from finances to mental health and general health resources.鈥�

The ceremony will begin at 1:40 p.m. in the McCastlain Ballroom. Airlifter Brass, the Brass Quintet of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, will provide the music during the ceremony. The brass quintet will also perform a concert in Snow Fine Arts on Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Brigadier General Bradley J. Cox will deliver the keynote address for the ceremony. Cox is the Director of Joint Staff, Arkansas National Guard, at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He served two tours of duty in Iraq between 2004 and 2009. His numerous awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Combat Infantry Badge.听听听

The ceremony also includes the presentation of the Tidwell Veterans Scholarship and the BT天堂Veterans Day Scholarship. Both scholarships will be awarded to full-time BT天堂students who are veterans or current service members.

听

The University of Central Arkansas has announced that it has earned the 2022-2023 Military Friendly庐 School designation. Military Friendly庐 is owned and operated by Viqtory, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business.

Institutions earning this designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.

The 2022-2023 Military Friendly庐 Schools list will be published in the May and October issues of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at .听

“There is no greater responsibility in our work than to ensure that BT天堂students are welcomed and supported in their collegiate journey. With our military and military-connected students, we recognize the opportunity to ease the transition to BT天堂while also enhancing a prosperous collegiate experience. Recognition from Military Friendly庐 signifies the outstanding work and efforts being provided to BT天堂military and military-connected students,鈥� said Kevin Thomas, associate vice president for Enrollment Management. 鈥淭ruly this is a campus effort that includes key coordination, support and care from our Veterans Resource Center, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Student Accounts, Institutional Research and the campus Veterans Committee.”

Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly庐 Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution鈥檚 survey scores with the assessment of the institution鈥檚 ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and specifically, for student veterans.

“Our desire has always been and will continue to be gaining and maintaining a deep-rooted and widespread military-friendly culture on this campus,鈥� said Greg Pelts, director of the BT天堂Veterans Resource Center. 鈥淎chieving the official status as a Military Friendly庐 School is a significant achievement.鈥�

鈥淢ilitary Friendly庐 is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard,鈥� said Kayla Lopez, national director of military partnerships, Military Friendly庐.

For more information about UCA鈥檚 student veteran programs, visit BT天堂Veteran Services.

About Military Friendly庐 Schools:
The Military Friendly庐 Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly庐 Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary听schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at .

Greg Pelts

The University of Central Arkansas has named Gregory 鈥淕reg鈥� Pelts as the new director of the Veterans Resource Center. He began Jan. 4.

The Veterans Resource Center assists BT天堂veterans and military-connected students with benefits access and utilization. The center also conducts outreach to assist in the successful transition from military service to campus and civilian life.听

In this role, Pelts will lead a team of seven individuals who provide assistance to all military-connected students.听听

Pelts recently retired from the U.S. Army, having served more than 32 years in active duty in the Army, the U.S. Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve in enlisted and commissioned officer status. Pelts retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. Upon retirement from the Army in 2018, he began working on a Bachelor of Arts in history at UCA, and during this time, he became familiar with the BT天堂Veterans Resource Center.听

鈥淚 believe a career in the military is a higher calling in life. After a career as rewarding as the Army, not just any job after retirement would suffice. In my mind, my second career had to be just as fulfilling,鈥� Pelts said. 鈥淎ssisting veterans to gain a stronger foothold in life by achieving a college education is a noble and rewarding effort that can provide me with that fulfillment.鈥澨�

During Pelts鈥� military career, he served as an Army Infantry Officer, in various positions of increased responsibility. He has commanded at the company and battalion levels and has been responsible for over 800 personnel. His numerous awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.听

Pinnacle Brass, the resident brass quintet of UCA, welcomed attendees with patriotic music and accompanied vocalist Annmarie Eaton during the 鈥淪tar-Spangled Banner.鈥澨�

Bayonet Battalion presented the colors during the Veterans Day ceremony at BT天堂on Nov. 11.

The Bayonet Battalion presented the colors. BT天堂Veterans Committee member Capt. Andrew Fisher was the master of ceremonies for the program.

BT天堂has hosted a Veterans Day ceremony for 24 years. President Houston Davis said it is important for the campus to pause and appreciate the sacrifices of our veterans which allows us to enjoy our freedoms.听

鈥淗ere at UCA, our support for our veterans and their dependents is unwavering, whether it is a veteran who is a student, a faculty member, staff member, or a neighbor of ours here in Conway, Faulkner County, or beyond,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淏T天堂wants to be known as a trusted partner to veterans as well as to make certain that we’re providing the necessary services and support.鈥�

Davis said the university is in the process of completing the Veterans Resource Center at the corner of Bruce Street and Donaghy Avenue. The center will allow BT天堂to serve veterans in an even greater capacity. It is scheduled for completion within the next year.听

The ceremony also included the presentation of the Tidwell BT天堂Veterans Scholarship by Mark and Tracy Tidwell in honor of Master Sgt. John Tidwell, a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Tracy Tidwell shares why her family created a veterans scholarship at UCA.

鈥淢y husband Mark and I have always believed wherever we live, we are to give back to our community,鈥� Tracy Tidwell said. 鈥淲e have always had a special place in our heart for veterans. So when we were looking at how we could give back 飧� and in a way that is long term 飧� we decided to go with a scholarship for a veteran who is going back to school.鈥澨�

This year the Tidwell scholarship goes to Deven Dyer 鈥�16, 鈥�20, an Air Force veteran and doctoral student in the counseling psychology program. Dyer was unable to attend the ceremony due to prior commitments. He wrote that he plans to serve as an active-duty psychologist when he graduates.听

Retired Maj. Gen. Ronald Chastain gave the keynote address for the program. Chastain served in a variety of command and staff assignments since his military career began in 1972.听

鈥淭oday all across the United States, we have people gathering to pay tribute to veterans,鈥� Chastain said. 鈥淚t is our chance to thank those who have selflessly answered the call to duty and remember all those who have served. Veterans Day reminds us that freedom is not free. It must be protected and defended by each new generation of Americans.鈥澨�

Chastain reminded the audience that not every veteran has been to war, but most veterans count their time in uniform among the defining experiences of their lives.听

Retired Maj. Gen. Ronald Chastain gave the keynote address during the BT天堂Veterans Day program.

鈥淭he military drew out the best that was in them, instilling the high standards of discipline, diligence and duty. Each took an oath to live by a code and stood ready to fight for our country,鈥� Chastain said. 鈥淰eterans are also involved in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions鈥hile the mission and location may change throughout the world, service members are the ones who answer the call to duty when there is a job to be done.鈥澨�

After Chastain鈥檚 address, the audience watched a film about the Tomb of the Unknown听 Soldier followed by Pinnacle Brass playing 鈥淎rmed Forces Salute,鈥� a medley of the anthems from each of the various branches of the military. Veterans stood as their service song was played. Then Fisher called attention to a small round table in the front of the room.听

鈥淚t is set for one to symbolize the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as prisoners of war and missing in action,鈥� Fisher said. 鈥淲e call them comrades. They are unable to be with us today. So we joined together to pay our humble tribute to them and to bear witness to their continued absence.鈥�

Each detail on the table had significant meaning to represent the emotions reserved for those who did not come home. The ceremony ended with Pinnable Brass playing taps and a moment of silence.听