Eastern Oklahoma State College will host “A Salute to Veterans” on Friday, Nov. 11 at 2:00 p.m. in Wilburton. The event is open to the public and all area veterans and active service members are invited to attend.
“A Salute to Veterans” will take place at the Larry Stone Veterans Memorial near the Clock Tower area of campus. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Mitchell Auditorium.
This year’s event will feature guest speaker Mike Zozula of McAlester. Shortly after graduating high school, Zozula enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1972. He served with the 410the Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron and the 410th Munitions Maintenance Squadron at the K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base. He was later reassigned to the Vanderberg Air Force base where he served with the 6595th Aerospace Test Group Systems Command, the Satellite Test Group Systems Command, and the 2nd Space Launch Squadron Space Command. During his time at Vandenberg, Zozula was the Air Force representative at the facility where the Atlas Ballistic Missile was reconfigured into a space launch vehicle. He also served at the Space Launch Complex 3 where he oversaw all electrical check outs of both the ground complex and the Atlas missile prior to and throughout launch. Zozula finished his Air Force career as a quality assurance inspector for ground launched cruise missiles at a base in Comiso, Italy. Zozula retired from the Air Force with numerous awards and decorations in 1992. He currently serves as a part-time police officer for Eastern.
Eastern Student Government Association officers Trent Fronterhouse of Calvin and Emma Victery of Ninnekah will lead the program, including the welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, presentation of veterans in attendance, and lighting of the remembrance candle.
During the event, Eastern’s Music Department will perform a number of patriotic songs including the “Star Spangled Banner,” “A Tribute to the Armed Services” and “Taps.” Free refreshments will also be provided at the conclusion of the program.
For more information, contact Eastern’s Office of Student Services at 918-465-1818.
