The time-honored tradition of the Veterans Day ceremony at Culver Academies will take place on the lakeside steps of the Legion Memorial Building at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11. The public is invited to attend this ceremony.
This year’s speaker is Capt. Nickolas M. Zappone ’05 (U.S. Army). He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2009 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program at Michigan State University. He received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from MSU and his master’s in business and organizational security from Webster University.
Zappone’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the ISAF NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. He has also earned the Gold German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.
Zappone is currently stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. His company is one of three force providers to the Midwest Regional Correctional Facility.
The Veterans Day ceremony recognizes the sacrifices made by Culver alumni during times of war. Since 1924, Culver has recognized the sacrifices of American and Allied soldiers during World War I on the 11thhour of the 11th day of the 11th month of each year. The ceremony has changed very little since it was conducted at the Legion Memorial Building dedication 91 years ago. During the ceremony, the Battery battalion will fire the school’s howitzers over Lake Maxinkuckee.
Provided by Jan Garrison
