CMU to celebrate Veteran's Day with flag raising event
Central Michigan University Chapter of Student Veterans of America President, Rae Houston stands during the recognition of services for the air force during the Veteran's Day ceremony in Warriner Hall, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019.
Central Michigan University is hosting events for Veteran’s Week from Nov. 7-11. This year, a new program was added, the Honor Flag Raising for CMU alumnus Gerald Oehnke.
“The Honor Flag Raising is something new this year and is a special request of Mr. Oehmke,” Director of the Veteran’s Resource Center Duane Kleinhardt said. “Whenever a veteran passes away, the military provides them with a U.S. flag to drape (over) their coffin prior to burial.”
Oehnke graduated from CMU in 1958 with degrees in social science, history and English. He served in the United States Navy during WWII and worked as a teacher in the Michigan education system. His final wish was to have his Honor Flag flown over CMU.
CMU will be honoring Oehmke’s wishes and flying his flag over campus for 24 hours at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Flagpole near Warriner Hall.
The CMU ROTC Honor Guard (Queen’s Guard) will ceremoniously lower the CMU and U.S. flag and raise the Honor Flag.
Kleinhardt said, during the event the Queen’s Guard will enter with all the flags of the various services, including the new Space Force and the U.S. colors.
CMU President Bob Davies will attend the flag raising, as well as a guest from the Michigan National Guard. A brass quintet from the School of Music will play songs from the different branches of service.
Information on the other Veteran's Week events can be found on the CMU website
