The Skyhawk Veteran Association held a program to honor all veterans, including members of the American Legion Post 69 and former UTM student Capt. Brent Morel on Monday, Nov. 11.
The program started with members of the Skyhawk Veteran Association sharing their thoughts on Veterans Day, but then it was turned over to Dr. Daniel McDonough a UTM history professor.
McDonough, who was one of Morel’s professors, shared a story about Morel concerning the American flag.
During one of his classes, McDonough asked his class what they would do if he degraded the American flag in front of them. While many of his students remained silent, McDonough said Capt. Morel was quick to jump up and say he would, “kick [McDonough’s] ass.”
Capt. Morel, who graduated from UTM in 1999, was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Camp Pendleton, Calif.
On April 7, 2004, he was killed by hostile fire in Anbar, Iraq.
McDonough then introduced the Morel family, who was presented with a plaque in honor of Capt. Morel. It was announced that there are currently plans to name a room in honor of Capt. Morel for the Skyhawk Veteran Association to permanently meet, but the plaque was given in  commemoration of him until the room is established.
Retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Jim Phelps, who also spoke at the event, was very pleased with how the ceremony went.
“I think it went very well,” said Phelps. “I think there was a nice crowd, and I think it was a nice celebration too.”
Despite the crowd, Phelps said he would have liked to have seen more students at the event.
“It would be nice to see more students here,” said Phelps. “Sometimes people mention veterans and people don’t even know what they are.”
“I want people to remember veterans,” he added. “Like I said in my speech, next year we’re going to be pulling out of Afghanistan; it’s not going to be on the news anymore, you aren’t going to see the units deploying, but we still need to remember and take care of our veterans.”
Phelps served in the Navy from 1972 until 1992, and he is a member of Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard Riders.
