College of the Ozarks celebrates Veterans Week
POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks held several patriotic events to honor Veterans on Nov. 10, 2023 and during the week leading up to Veterans Day. The College was honored to host annual events for students and invite Veterans to experience Patriots Park.
The traditional Sunrise Service began at 7 a.m. on Nov. 10 at the Williams Memorial Chapel flagpole. The Military Science Department and the Bobcat GOLD Program organized the service.
The flag-raising detail was accompanied by “Reveille,” performed by Sergeant Major (Retired) Bob Smither after the firing of a 75mm Howitzer cannon by United States Air Force Veteran Mark Nowack. Nowack serves as professor of engineering at C of O. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the ROTC program at the Pennsylvania State University. Through multiple engineering assignments, he provided research support to a range of programs including missile defense and space programs. Additionally, he provided engineering support to a variety of aircraft including the F-117 “Nighthawk” fighter, the B-2 “Spirit” bomber, and the AC-130U “Spooky” gunship.
He served two tours on the faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He was subsequently stationed in Tokyo, Japan, where he led a team that coordinated cutting edge research with partners throughout Asia and the Pacific. His final assignment was in the Pentagon, as Technical Director of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. He retired after 20 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel.
President Brad Johnson placed a wreath in front of the Alumni Veterans Memorial in honor of Veterans. Smither played “Taps” during the ceremony. A 21-gun salute by the Military Science Department followed the placing of the wreath.
College of the Ozarks was honored to welcome the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association to campus on November 9. Five Vietnam helicopter pilots from the association, along with a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter that served in combat in Vietnam, visited the campus to speak with the students over their experiences and lessons learned during their service in the U.S. Army.
“I was honored to hear the Veterans’ stories and how their leadership is inspiring the United States to this day,” remarked Evan Johnson, a freshman business major. “I am very thankful for the support that they gave for this country through their service in Vietnam.”
Each year, the College gathers to recognize and reflect on the 1,410 souls who were lost in the Vietnam War from the state of Missouri. C of O students, faculty, and staff participated in the Reading of the Names at The Missouri Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This event took place at Patriots Park on Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., honoring Veterans of the past, present, and future.