Three American flags hung between the Columns north of Jesse Hall on Sept. 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks 12 years ago. As veterans and MU alumni gathered at Francis Quadrangle for barbeque dinner, another huge flag rose at the roundabout in front of the Geological Sciences building.
The unfurling of the Stars and Stripes was to pay respect to alumni, faculty, staff and student veterans and their families at the second annual Patriot Day Barbecue, hosted by Chancellor Brady J. Deaton and wife Anne.
In his speech to more than 100 guests, Deaton thanked American veterans for their service to the country. Then everyone participated in a moment of silence for victims of the 9/11 tragedy.
One of the guests at the barbecue was Melvin Brees, an alumnus and a veteran. He said that, after receiving an email invitation from MU, he decided to attend the event for the first time.
“I’m happy to have an opportunity to participate, and I’m ready to eat some good food,” Brees said, smiling.
Along with the guests, there were many booths, including ones from the Mizzou Alumni Association, Mizzou ROTC and the Museum of Anthropology.
Candace Sall, associate curator of the museum, was standing next to an exhibit on John Hezekiah “Hezzie” Patrick, an MU alumnus and World War I veteran. The museum’s “ ‘Hezzie’ Goes to War: World War I Through the Eyes of a Mid-Missourian,” is dedicated to Patrick’s war experience as an American soldier in France. She explained that the museum wanted to share his story at an event celebrating American patriots.
“We saw a big group at this event last year, so we volunteered to participate this year,” Sall said. “We wanted to be part of the celebration, and a good group of people have gathered here.”
— JeongAn Choi