Appalachian honors veterans during ceremony

Retired Lt. Col. Gerald F. Harper Jr. speaks to students and veterans during the Veterans Day ceremony Monday. Harper spoke about the continued commitment of America’s youth to serving in military service and his outlook for the country’s future. Photo courtesy of Marie Freeman

Stephanie Sansoucy
November 12, 2013

Retired Lt. Col. Gerald F. Harper Jr. speaks to students and veterans during the Veterans Day ceremony Monday. Harper spoke about the continued commitment of America’s youth to serving in military service and his outlook for the country’s future. Photo courtesy of Marie Freeman
A Veterans Day celebration was held at the veteran memorial beside the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building at 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Approximately 30 attended the celebration.

Lt. Col. Gerald Harper Jr. (retired) is in charge of the newly founded Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at Watauga High School and spoke at the event.

“Veterans are a very important part of our country,” Harper said. “The United States currently has 23 million veterans.”

Appalachian State Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps performed a flag raising ceremony to end the event.

Story: JORDAN PIFER, Intern News Reporter 
Photo courtesy of Marie Freeman