The University’s two ROTC attachments, the Air Force and the Army, held a short, 20-minute memorial dedication ceremony yesterday outside of Memorial Hall.
Last summer, an American flag, an Air Force flag and an Army flag were erected outside of room 164, Memorial Hall. On a stone beneath the flags reads the inscription, “Dedicated to BGSU past, present and future serving our country in the armed forces”.
According to Captain Kimberly Hammond, the stone memorial is a token to remember fellow ROTC commission officers.
The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem as members attentively stood.
The master of ceremonies described the day as “Historic for the ROTC department at BGSU”.
“We hope one day to be on the front lines, fighting for our country,” he said.
Representatives from both the Army and Air Force explained the memorial is in honor to their predecessors who put their lives in danger to protect our c ountry.
The history and meaning of the three flags was explained.
“The American Flag symbolized our values as a nation,” an ROTC member said. “It serves as inspiration for service men and women who are fighting for the values the flag embodies”.
A POW-MIA flag was given to the University’s ROTC department.
Music played as the dedication ceremony was concluded and the three flags were lowered by the two ROTC attachments on campus, for the first time.