November 4, 2023

Metropolitan Community College will host its annual Chancellor’s Veterans Day Celebration from 7:30-9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 (two days before Veterans Day). The breakfast event will be held at MCC-Blue River, Arts & Sciences building, Room 101. The campus is at 20301 E. 78 Highway in Independence.

The event, with a theme of “Honoring Those Who Served,” is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. RSVP as soon as possible at here or by calling 816.604.1901.

For those who can’t attend in person, the Veterans Day Celebration will also be livestreamed on Zoom.

Guest speaker Theresa Garza is a U.S. Navy veteran who served five years during Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s. She is regional manager of government affairs for natural gas company Spire. Garza is also active in civic affairs, serving on the Raytown Board of Aldermen as well as on the boards of several associations. She previously was a member of the Jackson County Legislature.

In addition to recognizing and thanking our community of veterans, the event will honor two student veterans, Michael Gorman and Tony Miller, with the Reggie Helms Memorial Scholarship. Both served in the U.S. Army. The award is named for MCC Chancellor Kimberly Beatty’s father, who served in Vietnam. She will present the scholarships.

MCC’s own Jeff Ullmann, chief facilities officer and a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, will serve as master of ceremonies.