BOONE—Appalachian State University will hold a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, at 7:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial on the west side of the Dougherty Administration Building.

Michael J. O’Connor, a retired Navy captain, will be the guest speaker. O’Connor is the director of Appalachian’s Physical Plant.

Activities include a flag-raising ceremony followed by a brief program. A continental breakfast will be served in the administration building lobby following the ceremony. The public is invited to attend.

O’Connor served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years before retiring in 2006. He began his career as a naval aviator flying the A-7E Corsair. He then transitioned to the Civil Engineer Corps where he served in various construction management, public works, SEABEE, staff and command assignments around the globe.

His tours of duty included Pensacola, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Port Hueneme, Calif.; Okinawa, Japan; Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia; Atsugi, Japan; Thurmont, Md.; and Washington D.C.

O’Connor’s awards included the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit citations.

He was a qualified Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California and North Carolina.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in mining engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a master of science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Maryland. He also attended the Duke Fuqua School of Business Advanced Management Program.

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(Pronunciation guide: Hueneme Y-KNEE-ME)