Football Players.jpgDecember 4, 2018

Members of the Mayville State University football team took time from their studies to put up lights at the Military Honor Garden at Mayville State in preparation for the holidays. The men strung red, white, and blue lights on the three evergreen trees that grace the south edge of the garden. The trees will be lighted through the month of December, beginning on Friday evening, Dec. 7.

The date Dec. 7 is of significance. On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, killing more than 2,300 Americans. The following day, in an address to a joint session of Congress, President Franklin Roosevelt called Dec. 7, 1941 “a date which will live in infamy.” Congress then declared war on Japan, ushering the United States into World War II.

The Mayville State University football team has been extremely supportive of all veterans and members of the U.S. military. For the past couple of years, each of the football players has displayed a representation of local veterans on their helmets. They have also taken an opportunity to get to know several of the veterans on a personal basis.

The Military Honor Garden, located on the south lawn of the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center at Mayville State, features a life-sized bronze eagle in flight sculpture, flags, night lighting, and gardens. All five branches of the military are represented on the granite centerpiece on which the eagle sculpture stands. This beautiful and meaningful project is a tribute to Mayville State employees, students, and friends, and community men and women for their patriotic service in America’s Armed Forces. The intent is to honor anyone who has served in the military. Those honored definitely can be, but do not have to be, Mayville State alumni.

In 2016, the MSU Foundation launched Phase II of the Military Honor Garden project, which was to establish scholarships for veterans. The goal to fully endow the fund has been met and beginning next fall, veterans or active duty military members who enroll as students at Mayville State may apply to receive this scholarship assistance.

To learn more about the Military Honor Garden and how you may honor a loved one there, contact the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4864 or go to www.mayvillestate.edu/militaryhonorgarden.

Photo caption:

   Several Mayville State football players gathered at the Military Honor Garden on Dec. 4 to place lights on each of the three evergreen trees in preparation for the holidays.

   Pictured in the front (l-r) are Dominic Johnson, Houston, Texas; Michael Kolness, Ada, Minn.

   In the back are Robert Barnard, Middleburg, Fla.; Geordi Mullins, Las Vegas, Nev.; Jeff Donegan, Harwood, N.D.; Matthew Coates, Melba, Idaho; Matthew Fraser, Cavalier, N.D.; Daniel Simpson, Chesapeake, Va.; and Josiah Walker, Hightstown, N.J.