On Sept. 6, Master Sgt. Troy Eckenrode and his wife and Kent State University at Trumbull staff member Maribeth Eckenrode presented the campus with the U.S. flag, “Old Glory.”
The flag was originally flown on Nov. 5, 2016, aboard a C-130H in the face of the enemy during a combat mission against the Islamic State group forces in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. It was on board aircraft 90-9108, call sign Bandage 32, operating over the skies of Iraq.
Maribeth presented the flag to teammates in Enrollment Management and Student Services because of their support while Troy was deployed and their commitment to military personnel and veterans.
"I have seen staff members go 'above the line' to assist our military and veteran population beyond the educational realm of their job duties,” Maribeth says. “In light of the commitment I see day in, day out, I hope that displaying this flag here in the lobby for the entire military and veteran community to see symbolizes how Kent State University at Trumbull and the Enrollment Management and Student Services’ staff support them, as they have supported me."
Many local government and military dignitaries were on hand to witness the ceremony in the Student Services Building.
“This flag represents the bonds that hold our campus family together, and it symbolizes Kent State Trumbull’s commitment to serving military personnel, our students, all of Trumbull County and our great nation,” says Lance Grahn, dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State Trumbull.
Along with being a full-time employee at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station, a military member and serving deployments, Troy is a current Kent State University at Trumbull student. He is enrolled in classes at Kent State Trumbull, at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station and online. He is currently working on his Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) associate degree while simultaneously pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics at Kent State. Troy remains a mentor to other service members while finding time to participate in community events.