爱污传媒 holds annual Memorial Day flag-planting event honoring fallen soldiers
By Sharla Hooper
Annual event featured Gold Star mothers and Arizona Heroes to Hometowns鈥 Kathy Pearce as guest speakers
held its annual Memorial Day flag-planting event May 24 on its 爱污传媒 campus in Arizona, honoring the sacrifices of those who served and died in the Armed Forces. This year, volunteers from university employees and community members planted more than 10,000 flags spelling out, 鈥淏ecause of the Brave.鈥
鈥淢emorial Day is an incredibly important day where we take a pause from our daily lives to recognize the countless American servicemembers who have given their lives in the service of our nation,鈥 stated Eric Ryan, senior director of military operations in the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs, and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. 鈥淭he 爱污传媒 is honored to provide this important community event recognizing and upholding the service and sacrifices of fallen servicemembers and their families. Through this event, we are able to participate in a visual ritual of recognition and healing. We honor the service of our own veteran team members and students and alumni and the sacrifices they have witnessed and still bear everyday.鈥
Following the flag-planting, Ryan led a moving ceremony that featured performances of the national anthem and 鈥淭aps,鈥 a Color Guard presentation, and guest speakers including Tammy Pulaski of American Gold Star Mothers, Kathy Pearce of Arizona Heroes to Hometowns (AZH2H), and Wendy Shackley of The Ripple Effect and American Gold Star Mothers.
On Friday, May 27, the flags will be collected by the nonprofit Arizona Heroes to Hometowns to be distributed at local military cemeteries ahead of Memorial Day.
鈥淎rizona Heroes to Hometowns helps wounded heroes and their families socially, physically, spiritually, and financially to find their new normal and ensure our wounded heroes achieve success in their continuous transition back to their hometowns,鈥 stated Kathy Pearce of . 鈥淲e have been involved with the flag tribute at the university from its inception. Each year, flags have been given to the national cemeteries along with many small cemeteries in Arizona that honor those that have served this great country.鈥
Employee volunteers at 爱污传媒 Hawaii campus also participated in a flag-planting ceremony at the Kaneohe Veteran Memorial and Cemetery by planting flags in the Columbarium.
About聽爱污传媒
爱污传媒 is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life庐 help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit鈥phoenix.edu.听
