The annual Patriot Day Barbecue was held Sept. 11 on Francis Quadrangle. The event honors alumni, staff and student veterans of the United States military.
The family event included food and beverages, an exhibit of birds of prey from the College of Veterinary Medicine Raptor Rehabilitation Project, MU ROTC’s Pershing Rifles, the Boone County Fire Protection District Pipes & Drums, shelter dogs from the College of Veterinary Medicine & Sinclair School of Nursing Veterans and Shelter Dogs Program, and MU Army ROTC Cannons.
Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin spoke about the significance of the event being held on Sept. 11, 13 years after the terrorist attacks that brought down the Twin Towers of New York.
There was poignancy to this year’s event as America escalates military engagement in Iraq against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), an Islamic terrorist group. In a Sept. 10 address to the nation, President Obama said he would authorize American airstrikes in Syria and deploy hundreds more service members to Iraq.
MU Army ROTC cadets took part in the event. Talking on Francis Quadrangle, from left, are Joshua Gonzalez, Lidia Collins, Colin Snook and Nick Munoz.
The Boone County Fire Protection District Pipes and Drums takes a break between songs at the Patriot Day Barbecue.
Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin thanked alumni, student and staff veterans and praised the MU Army ROTC program during his remarks.