Members of the community are welcome to join in as The University of Findlay’s Student Veteran Association hosts “A Tribute to Memorial Day” on Wednesday, May 24, at the flagpole on the front lawn of Old Main, 1000 N. Main St., Findlay. The service will include the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard presenting the flag to the 5-year-old daughter of an area native killed in Mosul, Iraq.

Sharinda Welton-Peeler, director of student activities and student commuter services, said that two students who are members of the association came up with the idea for the event as a thank you to all veterans, an opportunity for the community to participate in a local program before traveling over the holiday weekend, and as a catalyst for the programs and services already scheduled on the weekend. As planning for the event has continued, a number of local veterans organizations have indicated that they will participate.

The service will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the posting of colors by the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard, the Legion of Honor and the local Boy Scouts of America, Troop 301.

Cpl. Geoffrey H. Shultz, U.S. Army Retired, and president of the Student Veteran Association will offer a welcome and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Welton-Peeler will offer the national anthem, followed by an invocation by Pastor Will Miller, director of Christian Ministries at UF and at the College First Church of God.

A U.S. Army representative will lead new enlistees in the Oath of the Soldier, after which the Final Roll Call of fallen soldiers from Hancock County and the UF community beginning with World War II will be read by Robert J. Spears, U.S. Navy Retired, and Paul Chwialkowski, faculty co-advisers for the Student Veteran Association. Casey Lauger, a military dependent and current UF student, will play Taps.

Sgt. Luke Olney, U.S. Marine Corps reservist and a member of the Student Veteran Association, will read a Soldier’s Prayer.

The Legion of Honor will fold the flag while Tech Sgt. Larry D. Lauger Jr., U.S. Air Force Retired, and a member of the association, will offer an explanation of what each fold means. The Legion of Honor will present the flag to the 5-year-old whose father, Zachary Wobler, was killed in the line of duty in Iraq in February 2005 and whose mother is a 1999 graduate of The University of Findlay.

Miller will then offer a benediction. The Zenobia Scottish Highlanders, a musical group composed entirely of veterans, will close with “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

Roger Neff, U.S. Marine Corps Retired, will provide military vehicles that will be parked on the circular drive in front of Old Main, facing the bleachers provided for participants.

Rain site for the event will be the Koehler Athletic Complex, situated two blocks north of Old Main.

In addition to the Student Veteran Association, the event is sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministries and Office of Student Activities and Commuter Student Services. For more information, e-mail studentactivities@findlay.edu or call 1-800-472-9502, ext. 4606.