PSU's Memorial Day ceremony to honor veterans

A retired Air Force general will pay tribute to veterans, recognizing "their sacrifice for freedom," during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial Amphitheater. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) George Lampe is the keynote speaker at the 10:30 a.m. ceremony on Monday, May 29, at the memorial. The public is invited.

A special feature of the ceremony will be the unveiling of a recent memorial enhancement. Private support made it feasible to install additional black granite in the Brock Family Amphitheater. Donors who funded the enhancement project will be recognized.

Monday's ceremony will also include the "pinning" of the charter members of the Friends of the Memorial, a new organization established to support programming at the memorial. Engraved memorial pavers recently installed in the Guy and Claire Sutherland Entrance Plaza will also be dedicated.

Gen. Lampe began his military career in 1967 when he entered the Air Force as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. After a 31-year career, he retired in 1998 as a major general. His final assignment was deputy director of communications and information for the Air Force and vice commander of the Air Force Communications and Information Center, both headquartered at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Gen. Lampe served as a communications and computer systems officer his entire career, frequently in the tactical area.

Gen. Lampe was born in Harper, Kan., and graduated from Pittsburg High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University. He is a member of Sigma Chi International Fraternity, and was designated as a Significant Sig in 2002. In 2000, he was awarded the Alumni Meritorious Achievement Award at PSU.

He is married to the former Pamela S. McCray of Oklahoma City, Okla. They have one son, Christopher, and reside in San Antonio.

Parking for Monday's ceremony will be available at the Bicknell Sports Complex with shuttle service provided for those who request it. Passengers with limited mobility may be dropped off at the street entrance to the memorial at 1909 S. Rouse. The ceremony will be held rain or shine. For additional information call 620-235-4762.

---Pitt State---