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ARLINGTON, Texas - Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs hasn’t been to UTA in 30 years. The physical education alumnus has been serving in the military since he graduated in 1982.
He was inducted into the Military Science’s Hall of Honor as a part of Homecoming celebrations on Feb. 26. “In 1980, I was sitting as a cadet in the audience of the first induction ceremony. I never thought I would be standing here receiving this honor,” Gibbs said.
About 220 people attended the ceremony that celebrates Military Science alumni for achievements in either military or civilian life.
The ceremony began with the Posting of Colors, when the Color Guard places the American, Texan and Military Science flags by the stage to open the day.
It featured a documentary by Allan Garonzik, Cadet Corps Alumni Council president, called "Freedom is not Free," detailing each of the 88 recipients of this honor and their achievements.
“It was a wonderful way of showing the heritage of the cadre,” Liberal Arts Dean Beth Wright said. “I found the film very moving.”
Other inductees this year are Col. Joe Swift and Maj. John Kearby, III.
Gibbs and Swift were at the ceremony while Kearby was inducted posthumously.
“It’s really neat coming back, I’ve run into some classmates that I hadn’t seen in 30 years,” Gibbs said.
He served in Germany, Operation Desert Storm and Iraq during his time in the military.
The ceremony is a good opportunity for UTA’s cadets to learn about others in the field, council administrator Sarah Nahhas said.
“For the past three or four years we have been seating the cadets with the guests so that they can hear their stories,” she said.
Attendees participated in the Silver Cup Ceremony during which a series of toasts are made in honor of various people and events. Toasts are to UTA, the U.S. President and alumni who died since the last Homecoming. The toasts are followed by a salute by the Carlisle Cannons.
The day ended with attendees going to Hall of Honor room in the College Hall, and Gibbs taking a tour of the campus.
“I have nothing but fond memories of UT-Arlington,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2011 11:09 |
| Story ID: | 66679 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, UT-Arlington Military Science honors alumni, by SSG Nathaniel Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
