A role model, supporter, listener, and mother to all, Julie Meyer has also been the secretary of Detachment 620 of the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University for 26 years.
Meyer is retiring on Dec. 30 because of her husband’s work taking them to England.
The Julia J. Meyer Spirit Award was created in her honor by Capt. Kimberly Hammond. Hammond, who went through the ROTC program from 1995-1999, is now the commandant of cadets and is responsible for cadet training.
Hammond suggested this award to the cadets because they wanted to honor her dedication to BGSU’s detachment over more than a quarter-century. The award will be given annually to two cadets – one cadet from the general military courses (GMC), and another to a cadet from the professional officer courses (POC).
“This award is a good way to never forget her,” Hammond said.
Meyer was shocked when she first learned of an award being created in her honor.
“Just that they would think enough of me to do that. It was quite a surprise,” Meyer said with a tear in her eye yesterday.
Cadet Ryan Wright, a freshman in the Air Force ROTC, received the Meyer Spirit Award for a GMC cadet. Wright said that he’s honored and privileged to receive this award.
“Being the first recipient, I’m very proud to have it,” Wright said. “It is definitely an honor. I hope that I can live up to the expectations of Julie.”
The other recipient, junior cadet Melissa Day, was flattered just to be mentioned in the same breath as Meyer.
“There is no award that is greater,” Day said. “She [Julie] is someone that I look up to, honor and respect. This is the biggest honor I’ve received in my life.”
Day said that Meyer is like a mother to her and everyone else in the detachment, but is particularly special to her because she’s from Georgia and so far from her own family.
Meyer is always there for advice or anything else that anyone could need. Day said that Meyer is encouraging and a good influence. She is optimistic and always smiling.
Hammond added that Meyer is always willing to listen and give a hug whenever one is needed. She helps schedule classes and answers questions of all kinds, from laundry questions to problems cadets are having with other cadets.
“She is the cornerstone of the detachment,” Hammond said. “I can’t even express how much she has meant.”
Utter chaos is expected by Hammond after Meyer’s retirement. “It will be a completely different place without Meyer here,” she said.
That chaos could most affect future cadets in the most subtle, but important ways, according to cadet Chad Dieterle.
“She helped me adapt to college life,” Dieterle said. “She basically does that for every cadet.”
He feels that this award will keep Meyer’s spirit alive, especially because in four years, cadets will not know who she is.
“It’s sad that the future cadets won’t get to know her, but I hope that they understand her importance,” Dieterle said. “She’s done amazing things and will never stop.”
“We are all going to miss her. Our hearts will cry,” Hammond said.
Meyer explained that work at the ROTC has been wonderful, and no matter where in the world she goes, the University’s ROTC students will always be her favorite.
“It’s been a great place to work. I am proud of these kids,” Meyer said.
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