SPRINGFIELD, Mo., November 8, 2021 — Drury University will hold two public events in honor of Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11. First, a ceremony to honor U.S. veterans will take place at 11 a.m. in the Plaster Gallery in the O’Reilly Family Event Center. A screening of the film Voices from Vietnam will be held in Olin Library at 3 p.m.
The featured guest speaker for the morning ceremony will be Brig. Gen. Dean Thompson, deputy commanding general – support, 99th Readiness Division. Thompson enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1985 and has since served across the U.S. and the world, including Afghanistan, Germany and Armenia.
He has earned an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies from Drury University, in addition to Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees from Missouri State University and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College. In his civilian occupation, Thompson serves as the vice president-chief economic development officer for City Utilities of Springfield.
University Chaplain Dr. Peter Browning will offer the invocation and patriotic music will be provided by the Drury Brass Quintet, with flags presented by the Willard High School Navy JROTC.
Visitor parking is available in Lot 7 on Summit Avenue, just north of Harrison Stadium.
Voices from Vietnam is a film shot and produced at Drury University in collaboration with Ozark Technical Community College and MSU. The film focuses on Lt. Larry Rottmann, who deployed to Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division in March 1967. For the next 30 years, he struggled to make sense of that war. Seeking answers and some semblance of personal peace, he returned to Southeast Asia 19 times.
Voices from Vietnam documents his journey from war to reconciliation. The film juxtaposes historical and contemporary images with live music by Raymond Castrey and narration by Rottmann. The film gives voice to the many people he met and the events he experienced during his quest.
The film will begin at 3:10 p.m. in the Olin Room of Olin Library, with a question and answer period with Rottmann and the film’s producers to follow. The screening is hosted by Drury University’s History Club.
Drury’s tradition of serving those who have served our country dates back to the days following World War II, when buses brought soldiers from Fort Leonard Wood to classes held on the Springfield campus. The commitment continues today through Drury’s dedication to serving active and retired military personnel across all degree programs and branch locations – including a location on the Fort Leonard Wood base. Drury supports federal initiatives that help veterans and active-duty service members apply for, pay for and complete their degrees and has designated staff to help coordinate these services.
