As part of Auburn University's Veterans Resource Center (VRC), retired U.S. Navy Capt. Paul “Puck” Esposito and retired U.S. Marine Corps Major Jeff Dyal continue to fulfill their commitment to service each and every day on the Auburn campus.
The VRC and its staff serve a very important mission. Led by Esposito, a 30-year veteran and aviator, the VRC provides valuable resources, advocacy and outreach to Auburn’s student veterans. Having spent 25 years in service to our country, Dyal is VRC's Campus & Community Events Coordinator. He is instrumental in guiding veteran students and their families through programs and services designed to help them succeed in their educational and career endeavors.
On this special Memorial Day edition of the "Everything Auburn" Podcast, we sit down with Esposito and Dyal to talk about their military journeys and learn what Memorial Day means to them as the VRC prepares to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
The VRC will host a special Memorial Day ceremony on Friday, May 24, at 11:30 a.m. CT on Cater Lawn. This year’s ceremony will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings during World War II. The ceremony will feature a series of honors and activities designed to remember and celebrate the brave servicemen and servicewomen who sacrificed their lives for our nation. Highlights of the event will include:
- Presentation of Colors by the Auburn Naval ROTC
- National Anthem performed by an Auburn student veteran
- Invocation delivered by Chaplain (CPT) Gary Riddle of the Alabama Army National Guard
- Guest Speech by Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Newton, U.S. Army (Retired)
- Wreath Laying Ceremony to honor fallen servicemembers, with a special tribute to the local Gold Star family of Billy Stelpflug
- Playing of Taps by Jerry Brown
In addition to these commemorations, 2,501 flags will be placed on Cater Lawn to represent each American servicemember who died on D-Day. Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts and First Lady Tracy Roberts are also scheduled to attend, underscoring the university’s commitment to honoring those who have served.
The ceremony is open to the public, and all community members are encouraged to attend to pay their respects and learn more about the significant role Auburn University and its veterans have played in our nation’s military history.
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