Fort Sill garrison commander to deliver Veterans Day message at Cameron Nov. 11

Col. Jay Morgan, garrison commander at Fort Sill, will deliver the keynote message at Cameron University's annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The event will start at 1 p.m. in Veterans Grove, located between Howell Hall and Gore Boulevard on the northern edge of campus.

The ceremony is open to the public, and past and current members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces are encouraged to attend. Parking is available in the lot that borders the eastern side of Veterans Grove and Howell Hall.

A native of Clarksville, Md., Morgan was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in 2005 upon graduation from the Virginia Military Institute. He served operationally as a member of the 3rd Infantry Division, 1st Infantry Division, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and most recently within 18th Field Artillery Brigade as commander of 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment.

During these assignments, Morgan deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Additionally, he deployed to Europe in support of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.

Morgan's broadening assignments include serving as an Assignment Officer within Human Resource Command, with in the Department of Military Instruction at the United States Military Academy, as the Executive Officer to the XVIII Airborne Corps Commanding General, and most recently as the Army's Director of Holistic Health and Fitness.

He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

The Comanche Battalion, Cameron's award-winning Army ROTC unit, will post the colors to signal the start of the observance. Cameron business instructor Brian Hayes - a retired Army lieutenant colonel - will serve as master of ceremonies.

Following a performance of the "Star-Spangled Banner" by Aggie student Divina D'Haiti, attendees will observe a moment of silence in honor of our nation's veterans and active-duty service men and women. CU senior music major Owen Ellis will play "Taps" to close the ceremony.

The ceremony is just one of a number of activities planned at Cameron to honor member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Active-duty military and veterans are invited to enjoy a complimentary meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Veterans Day in the Shepler Cafeteria, located on the south side of campus along Elsie Hamm Drive.

During the week, CU will display more than 7,000 American flags across campus as visible recognition of the patriotism and dedication of those who served in the Armed Forces. The flags will remain in place through Nov. 12.

PR#26-015