蹤獲扦s annual Veterans Day Commemoration will feature a longtime, beloved employee as its emcee.
George Lemons Jr., a Navy veteran who has worked in University Culinary Services for almost 25 years, will be at the helm as 蹤獲扦 honors service members and veterans on Nov. 10.
It means a lot, Lemons said. My oldest brother is a Vietnam vet. I'm doing it for him, and just [to] tell my brother's side of the story because that's where I fell in love with the military.
The emcee gig is particularly special because Lemons plans to retire next year, after he celebrates 25 years of employment with 蹤獲扦, he said.
Lemons has worked at nearly every department of culinary services, from dining halls to catering and concessions. He worked the night shift at Rosies, spent 15 years at The Kent Student Center dining halls and, for the past six years, has served breakfast at DI Dining, he said.
Lemons is well-known on the Kent Campus for his lively personality and humorous conversations with students.
Just interacting with kids and finding out where they're from, and what's [their] major, and a lot of them just [are] surprised that I'm taking my time out even to ask," Lemons said.
He jokes around with students, especially in the early mornings, to make them smile and encourage them to be good students, Lemons added.
I tell them, If you skip school, I ain't feeding you and all sorts of stuff [to] keep them motivated to become good young people, Lemons said.
Lemons sense of humor and positive comments seem to brighten students days, said Diane Johnson, senior manager of university culinary services.
He really enjoys interacting with students, which is what were here for, Johnson said. They do banter back and forth a little bit in good fun.
Lemons frequently attends volleyball, field hockey and soccer games to support student-athletes and keeps in touch with students after they graduate, particularly those serving in the military.
It is a sacrifice. You give up a lot Marines, Air Force, Army, Navy - we all joke with each other, Lemons said. I had two students that graduated last year from the Air Force and clowned around with them and seen them for four years and watched them. And so now they're in my phone. I call to check on them and stuff like that.
From Cooking on a Navy Ship to 蹤獲扦s Dining Halls
Lemons got his start in cooking at 19 years old when he joined the Navy. He worked as a squadron cook on the aircraft carrier in Japan, he said.
He recalled the challenge of cooking eggs while the ship was moving.
"You get taught in a regular kitchen and you think that's how it's going to be," Lemons joked. It was very interesting when you make an omelet chasing eggs ... [Those] omelets were fun."
Lemons served for eight years before leaving the military to start a family.
His military service had a great impact on his life, Lemons added.
It gives you discipline and your emotions don't get as high, Lemons said. We had [to depend] on each other. [Wed] be working together, the camaraderie.
After he retires from 蹤獲扦, Lemons plans to visit his son in Houston and spend time with two of his friends who served with him on the USS Midway. They may plan a trip to San Diego, where the ship is now a museum open for tours.
Maybe May or something, and just walk on it one more time and see where we slept at, Lemons said.
Johnson was thrilled when she heard he'd been asked to emcee the ceremony.
"They could not have chosen a better individual," Johnson said.
Lemons will be sorely missed at 蹤獲扦 once he retires, Johnson added.
The students are really going to miss him. They really are, Johnson said. And his coworkers. [There are] a couple guys who have worked with him for 25 years, and theyre not going to know what to do without him. Its going to take some adjusting.
When asked what he hopes for 蹤獲扦s future, Lemons encouraged dining services to keep that good work up.
Just never lose what 蹤獲扦 stands for, Lemons said. Youre here for the students.
Annual Veterans Day Commemoration Takes Place Nov. 10
Lemons is excited to emcee 蹤獲扦s Veterans Day ceremony to help honor his fellow veterans.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at Risman Plaza on the Student Green.
The commemoration will include a flag raising and posting of colors by 蹤獲扦's Army and Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
Stephanie Jones will perform the national anthem and 蹤獲扦 President Todd Diacon, Ph.D., will give the welcome remarks.
Retired Army Col. Nicholas E. Phillips, a 1970 蹤獲扦 graduate, will deliver the keynote address. The program also will feature an invocation, the Fallen Comrade Table, a service song medley and the retiring of colors.
The university will the commemoration for those unable to attend in person.
Following the ceremony, veterans and service members are invited to a luncheon at noon in the second-floor dining room of the Kent Student Center.
There will also be the annual Veterans Day Daffodil Hill Planting, a memorial to honor U.S. service members who died in the Vietnam War.
The university will be closed on Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day.
