By Kosha Oswald – Collegiate Staff
Grand Rapids Community College American Government professor, Denny Gillem, will give a presentation at the Veteran’s Day observance event on Friday Nov. 11. The presentation and the ceremony will take place at 10:45 a.m on the south end of Juan Olivarez Student Plaza.
The ceremony will include a moment of silence, planting of flags and a tree lighting. Following the ceremony, there will be an open house until 1 p.m in room 55 of the Main Building, 143 Bostwick Avenue NE.
“Those who serve and protect our constitution, our nation, and our way of life, they deserve the appreciation of our citizens,” Gillem said. “Honoring those who have been willing to put their lives on the line to protect the rest of us is important, lest we forget the price that has been paid and will have to be paid in the future to protect those privileges.”
Gillem is a West Point Military Academy graduate who served 22 years in active duty as an infantryman, including two years in combat in Vietnam. He has received many awards including the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Airborne wings, the Ranger tab, Silver Star, five Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
“Freedom isn’t free,” Gillem said. “Our nation has fought many wars to protect our freedoms.”
In a news release, GRCC President Steven C. Ender stated, “Denny Gillem brings a breadth of experience– from not only his own perspective but from the many veterans he has connected with over the years.”
