Commissioning ceremony begins military careers

  Friday, May 9, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

On Friday, May 9, a dozen Pittsburg State University seniors officially began their careers as military officers.

PSU’s ROTC program held its spring commissioning ceremony at in the Veterans Memorial on the PSU campus. LTC Chris Lambert, chairman of the Department of Military Science, said holding the ceremony at the memorial adds meaning to an already powerful experience.

“Every officer remembers the day he or she was commissioned,” Lambert said. “Having the students take their oath, receive their 2nd lieutenant’s bars from their families and receive their first salute in this place of honor is something they will cherish always.”

The keynote speaker for the event, Brigadier Gen. Peter Gallagher, was in attendance both to share advice and encouragement to the new officers and as a proud father. Gallagher’s son Matt Gallagher was one of the students taking the oath and receiving his commission, Friday.

Cadets commissioned second lieutenants were:

Clayton W. Argyle, Park City, Kan.; Mikaila K. Barbour, Fort Scott, Kan.; Zachary T. Birchmeier, Milford, Kan.; John T. Fatkin, Wichita, Kan.; Matthew C. Gallagher, Pittsburg, Kan.; Sean Gowdy, Lansing, Kan.; Nick Ryan Grabowski, Lincoln, Neb.; Byron T. Hadfield, Leavenworth, Kan.; James Hayward, Kansas City, Kan.; Mason Lynn Johnson, Chanute, Kan.; Keith M. Weaver, Altamont, Kan.; and Kristina R. Willis, Pittsburg, Kan.