Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, September 24, 2018
In Memoriam:
Volume 99 Issue 3
CU honors ROTC graduates
Photos by Drue Watkins
Drue Watkins
memorialized soldiers attended in front row seating. The entirety Co-Managing Editor of the Cameron ROTC cadre At 12 p.m. on Sept. 14, the also made an appearance, Cameron University Military marching in formation through Science Department unveiled the front and back doors of its newest addition to Burch Burch Hall during the initial Hall—the ROTC Wall of welcoming. Heroes. ROTC Public Relations cadet The Wall of Heroes holds Audrey Shifflet personally knew the names of four Cameron one of the fallen soldiers on the ROTC graduates who were Wall of Heroes, First Lieutenant killed in action during their Brandon Landrum. She said she service in the US Army as knows the memorial would mean officers, as well as the two a lot to Landrum, and that he Medal of Honor recipients who won’t be forgotten. came from Cameron. “I feel as though Brandon The event allowed public would be proud to know admittance, who included Cameron University is students on campus or citizens memorializing him, as well as the others, for their ultimate of the Lawton community; family members of the sacrifice,” she said. “I can
remember him always looking out for and taking care of everyone, even though he knew he would have to take care of himself last. He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off of his back as long as he knew you would be okay, and I would definitely say he was a natural leader. “While I would much rather have him here with us, I am grateful to have known him and that he is being honored in this way.” The presentation of the Wall of Heroes lasted for one hour, with the first portion consisting of four individual speeches given by Department Chair Seth Hall, Senior Military Science Instructor Benny Campbell,
Battalion Commander for photographs and closer Laura LeForge and Cameron inspection by the public. University President John As an individual in a position McArthur. of leadership, LeForge said she LeForge said the memorial the inclusion of the Wall of continues to build the Heroes had a profound impact unification of the local on her. community. “As a ten-year combat veteran “This is my third duty station of the Army, it reminds me to since being in the Army, and I be thankful every day,” she said. have never seen a community “Regardless of the fact that I and military installation as didn’t have the opportunity to tight knit as the Lawton-Fort know those honored, they are Sill area,” she said. “There were my brothers in arms. We all many VIPs take life for present granted most from both of the time. Cameron “In less University than a and Fort Sill. year, many “I think of us will that is a big commission deal for the as Second families of Lieutenants,” the honored LeForge because it said, “and it shows them is very likely that their that we will loved ones be deployed. will always be The reality remembered is, that could for their be any of my sacrifice and classmates on service.” that wall. Following “My heart the speeches, goes out to the curtain the family —Laura LeForge members of enclosing Battalion Commander those who lost the Wall of Heroes lifted, their lives.” revealing the For memorial for the first time and more information on the allowing the family members of Wall of Heroes, contact the the soldiers to approach first. Department of Military Science After the families’ initial at 580-581-2340 or visit the interactions, the Wall of memorial at Burch Hall in the Heroes became available main, first floor hallway.
“I think that is a big deal for the families of the honored because it shows them that their loved ones will always be remembered for their sacrifices and service.”
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