MIDLAND Midland College, in conjunction with Mil2Civ and Permian Warrior Partnership, will honor veterans with a special Veterans Day Celebration at noon Nov. 9.
The event will take place on the MC campus, and the community is invited to join in recognizing the sacrifices and service of our nation’s veterans. This year’s featured speaker will be Dr. Jeff Struecker, a distinguished military veteran and motivational leader.
Struecker’s storied career began when he enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman at just 18 years old. Over the course of 22 years of active service, he rose through the ranks, serving in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment for a decade, where he held positions from Private to Platoon Sergeant. In 1996, he showcased his exceptional skills by winning the prestigious David L. Grange Best Ranger Competition.
“Having U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Famer Dr. Jeff Struecker as our guest speaker for this year’s Veterans Day ceremony is truly an honor,” MC Director of Veteran Services Daniel Ortega said in a news release. “Dr. Struecker’s extraordinary service and leadership are a testament to the courage and dedication of all our veterans. His insights and experiences will undoubtedly inspire and remind us of the sacrifices made by those who have served our nation.”
In addition to his accomplishments in the field, Dr. Struecker taught ROTC at the University of Louisville, earning the title of U.S. Army ROTC Noncommissioned Officer of the Year in 1998. He spent his final decade in the Army serving as a chaplain, supporting Airborne and Ranger units. His exemplary service culminated in his induction into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 2017.
Throughout his career, Struecker earned numerous awards and commendations, including the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Wings, Military Freefall Master Parachutist Wings, and several foreign jump wings. He also received multiple medals for valor in combat, with his combat experience spanning the invasion of Panama, Operation Desert Storm, the “Black Hawk Down” mission in Somalia, and more than a dozen tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Veterans Day Celebration will also feature a 1-mile Fun Run, a 5K walk/run (register here), a traditional veterans ceremony, a cake-cutting, and a resource and job fair for veterans across the Permian Basin.
