Flag Presentation by Iraq War Vet Commemorates Constitution Day at Columbia Campus

Raising the flag at our Columbia Campus

Our Columbia college campus observed Constitution Day on Thursday, September 16, 2010, with the presentation of the United States flag to Campus President Toby Hayes by Tech Sergeant Miguel Chavez.

Sergeant Chavez is the husband of Loretta Chavez, a Cosmetology student at our Columbia Campus. He returned three weeks ago from Iraq, where he served for two months as a weapons systems coordinator.

Sergeant Chavez was stationed at Balad Airbase, just north of Baghdad. The flag he presented was previously flown over Iraq on August 18, 2010, aboard an F-16CM.

During the ceremony held at noon, proud students and staff observed the flag as it was raised by Catrina Smalls and Sharon Brewster. Ms. Smalls is a Cosmetology instructor and a U.S. Air Force veteran. She served with the 31^st Aero Evacuation Squad during the first Gulf War. Ms. Brewster, a Columbia Campus Medical Assisting student, is also a military veteran.