Mitchell Community College hosts annual Veterans Day Ceremony (Photos)

Photos courtesy of Mitchell Community College

BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps prepared Nicole Webb, a graphic designer and student at Mitchell Community College, for life outside the military.

Webb was one of several Mitchell students, alumni and board members who have served in the military who were featured in a video presentation during the college’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday.

During her time in the Marine Corps, Webb learned financial responsibility and structure, things she was able to incorporate into her everyday life.

“It’s a wonderful learning experience,” she said. “Yes, there can be some ups and downs and twists and turns here and there, but overall for say if you were younger, it would be a great way to, you know, come into adulthood, to learn responsibility.”

Mitchell President Tim Brewer welcomed everyone to the ceremony in Shearer Hall, noting it started at the 11th hour on the 11th day of November, the anniversary of the end of World War I.

The South Iredell JROTC presented and retired the colors and the Mitchell Community Band played the songs of each military branch. Veterans of each branch were asked to stand when their song was played. Emily Schuttenberg sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The Voices of Our Veterans video also featured:

♦ Dr. Ralph Bentley, MCC Board of Trustees chair and a captain in the U.S. Air Force;
♦ Jason Breault, a student and U.S. Army veteran;
♦ David Meachem, Board of Trustees member and Air Force veteran;
♦ Parks Davidson, an instructor at Mitchell and a veteran of both the Marine Corps and N.C. Army National Guard;
♦ Luther Potts, Mitchell alumnus Army veteran;
♦ Nate Neely, Mitchell alumnus and veteran of the Army Reserves; and
♦ Dawn Briggs, continuing education specialist and Navy veteran.

The veterans talked about their experiences in the military and how they came to discover Mitchell and shared their advice for others.

Bentley said he went into the military after medical school and became a flight surgeon. “I loved being around the airplanes,” he said.

He explained that he went into the Air Force for one simple reason — he wanted to serve his country.

Briggs talked about her transition to civilian life, which inspired her to want to help other young people find their way after high school.

“I like seeing kids get on their feet after high school,” she said.