The service features a student panel comprised of five College of the Ozarks students, introduced by Dr. Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks honored Vietnam Veterans this Vietnam Veterans Day with a special observance on March 28, 2025, in the Royal Oak Forum at The Keeter Center.

The ceremony began with a welcome by Brig. Gen. James Schreffler, vice president for patriotic activities for College of the Ozarks. Schreffler welcomed Vietnam Veterans, guests, students, faculty and staff with remarks about the sacrifices made by Veterans during the Vietnam War, and the treatment they endured when returning home. “Many of our Vietnam Veterans were never given the welcome they deserved when they came home,” Schreffler said. “Today, we come together to honor their service, their sacrifice, and to ensure their stories are never forgotten.”

Mike Howard, Vietnam Veteran and Vietnam Trip 2024 Participant, was guest speaker and gave remarks on the Vietnam Trip 2024 through the Patriotic Education Travel Program of College of the Ozarks and emphasized the importance of the education that students receive on the patriotic trips. 

Senior Taylor Galioto greets Sgt. Maj. Edward Neas during the Vietnam Veterans Day observance at College of the Ozarks last Friday, March 28. Galioto and Neas both traveled with the College to Vietnam in December 2025 as part of the Patriotic Education Travel Program.

A student panel comprised of five College of the Ozarks students were introduced by Dr. Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks. Dr. David Dalton, College of the Ozarks professor of history, led the discussion with the panel.

The following students were included in the panel:

• Clancy Callahan, senior journalism major, from Swifton, AR
• Taylor Galioto, senior allied health major, from Stow, OH
• Josh Hallam, senior engineering major, from Walker, MO
• Makenzie Henderson, senior early childhood elementary education major, from Steelville, MO
• Abigail Johnson, senior journalism major, from Castile, NY
• Maveric Richards, senior elementary education major, from Hollister, MO

When asked what the most important thing that she learned on the Vietnam trip was, Galioto said “Meeting the Veterans and hearing their firsthand accounts truly changed my perspective. Their courage and resilience showed me the true cost of freedom and the importance of honoring those who served.”