Heidelberg invites community to Veterans Day Celebration
Tangeman Veterans Memorial also to be dedicated
TIFFIN – On Nov. 11, Heidelberg University will host its annual celebration of Veterans Day with its traditional ceremony on campus. This year, however, the ceremony will take on a special meaning as the University dedicates the Tangeman Veterans Memorial.
The combined ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, at the location of the new memorial, adjacent to the Campus Center. Heidelberg invites the Tiffin and surrounding community – especially veterans – to the ceremony. All veterans will receive a free lunch in Hoernemann Refectory following the event.
The United Veterans Council will present the colors, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by senior Jacob Reuter and Lift Every Voice and Sing by senior Zaria Keys. Heidelberg President Rob Huntington will present welcoming remarks, followed by remarks from ‘67 ‘Berg alumnus Fred Wookey. Wookey and classmate Sondra Libman ’67 spearheaded a project to construct the Tangeman Veterans Memorial on Heidelberg’s campus in honor of their classmate, Marine Second Lieutenant James L. Tangeman.
The keynote address will be delivered by Heidelberg alumnus R. Jaimie Orr ’81, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees. Orr spent 24 years as a U.S. Navy Judge Advocate, retiring with the rank of Commander. Closing out the ceremony will be a Volley of Three by the United Veterans Council, followed by a prayer of dedication from senior Taylor Ratliff, president of CRU on Heidelberg’s campus, and closing remarks by senior Michael Dalton, president of the Student Military Support Alliance.
Tangeman, a 1967 Heidelberg graduate, is believed to be the only Heidelberg alumnus who died in Vietnam. Tangeman was 23 when he was killed in action in the late summer of 1968. He had received his officer’s commission on the same day he graduated, June 11, 1967.
During his student days at Heidelberg, Tangeman was a standout basketball player, golfer and member of the Nu Sigma Alpha fraternity. His classmates, Wookey and Libman, wanted to do something to memorialize him, in addition to the scholarship at Heidelberg that will bear his name.
“They took it one step further,” said Ashley Helmstetter, Associate Vice President of Advancement, Alumni, and Community Relations. “They decided on the creation of a memorial on campus to honor Tangeman all Heidelberg alumni who have served. The memorial is a perfect reminder of their service and sacrifice.”
Co-sponsors of this year’s celebration are Heidelberg’s Student Senate, the Student Military Support Alliance and Parkhurst Dining.
