Watts to speak at Veterans Day observance

Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Watts (Ret.) will be the keynote speaker for the Veterans Day observance at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial at Pittsburg State University. Watts, who is a native of Seneca, Mo., and is a 1956 PSU graduate, served more than 33 years in the airborne, infantry and armored forces.

Watts entered the Army upon completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at PSU in 1956. He earned a bachelor of science degree from PSU and later a master of science degree from Auburn University. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and Staff College, and the Air War College.

Watts served two tours of duty as an infantry officer in Vietnam and has had several major command assignments. Those include commanding general of the VII U.S. Corps, Germany; commanding general of the First Infantry Division; commanding general of the U.S. Army Readiness and Mobilization Command; deputy commanding general of the First U.S. Army; and commander of the 2nd Armored Division in Germany.

The Veterans Day observance will include the dedication of an additional 140 pavers at the Veterans Memorial, bringing the total number of pavers at the memorial to 2,750.

The Pittsburg High School Band will perform the National Anthem and "Manhattan Beach March." "America the Beautiful" will be sung by Christy Beebe and the Great Highland Bagpipes will play "Amazing Grace." Taps will be played by PSU student Matt Carter. The Rev. Veryl Strong of the Frontenac United Methodist Church will deliver the invocation.

Others on the program include Dr. James AuBuchon; Randy Roberts, PSU archivist; Dr. Steven A. Scott, vice president for Academic Affairs; and 1st Lt. Drew Polen of the Kansas Army National Guard. Steve Robb will deliver the benediction.

For more information on the Veterans Day observance, call the PSU Office of Public Relations at 620-235-4122.

For information about the Veterans Memorial at PSU, including memorial pavers, visit the Web site at www.psuvetmemorial.org.

---Pitt State---