Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County (JNC) on Friday, November 11, at 8:30 a.m.
Christie Hudnall, Dean of the Jimmy Naifeh Center, welcomed faculty, staff, students, and local community members to the Veterans Day program. The presentation of the colors was led by the Ripley High School JROTC, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Jasmin McCardel, DSCC student and Navy Machinist Mate Second Class Petty Officer. Darlene Huffman, First Baptist Church Covington Choir Member, performed the National Anthem. Representative Debra Moody was the guest speaker. Closing remarks were made by Dean Hudnall.
During the ceremony, Dr. Amanda Walker, Vice President for Advancement & External Affairs, and Amy West, Director of Human Resources, presented the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Chancellor’s Commendation Coin to Michael Peeler, DSCC Chief of Police and Retired Army Lieutenant.
Peeler, born and raised in Gadsden, Tennessee, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health from the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) where he was a member of the U.S. Army ROTC Program (Skyhawk Battalion). After graduating from UTM, he completed the U.S. Army Field Artillery Basic Officer Course. Peeler also earned his Master’s in Adult, Occupational, and Continuing Education from Kansas State University while attending the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer Course (CGSOC).
During his 26-year career, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) with the mission of providing artillery in direct support of the 1st Battalion; and the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Panthers). Peeler was also deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) with the 3rd Brigade, 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans), and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as the Brigade Fire Support Officer and was promoted to Operations Officer & Senior Planner for 3rd Special Troops Battalion (Solid). He later served as the Current Operations Officer (Mayor) for the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was responsible for day-to-day operations on the military installation.
The Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans, a special recognition launched three years ago by Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings is a way to honor veterans on the TBR campuses across the state. This year, there were 39 Chancellor’s Commendation honorees for 2022, which include 14 students, 14 faculty members, and 11 college staff members who served in the military. Eighteen recipients served in the Army, eight in the Marine Corps, eight in the Navy, three in the Air Force, one in the Coast Guard, and one in the National Guard.
Dyersburg State Community College is a designated VETS campus. If you are a Veteran and would like more information on academic programs and services, please visit www.dscc.edu.
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