Amarillo College to Honor Veterans During Nov. 10 Ceremony

Amarillo College will honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during a Veterans Day ceremony at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Clock Tower on the College’s Washington Street Campus.

The ceremony will include a welcome from AC President Dr. Jamelle J. Conner, a patriotic medley performed by the AC Ensemble and a color guard presentation by Palo Duro High School’s Junior ROTC program.

John Merklein, a Navy veteran who serves as director of the Badger Central Bookstore and Cafe at AC, will be the featured speaker.

Three AC students who are military veterans also will have roles in the ceremony. Iris Hernandez, a Navy veteran studying sonography, will serve as the student speaker. Jorge Padilla, a Navy veteran studying computer information systems, will read the acknowledgment of military branches. Matthew Johnson, an Air Force veteran studying mass media, will serve as the event greeter.

“Our veterans bring invaluable experience, resilience and leadership to our campus,” said Stephanie Brackett, AC coordinator of Veteran Services. “We’re proud to honor their service and help veterans and military-affiliated students navigate the path to college, including understanding and accessing the educational benefits for which they may be eligible.”

The ceremony will recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans while celebrating those who continue to serve their communities through education and their work at Amarillo College.

The public is invited to attend.