Philomath Middle School’s annual Veterans Day assembly on Thursday, Nov. 9 will feature U.S. Army Lt. Col. Thomas J. Clifford, a professor of military science at Oregon State University. The event, which is open to the public, is scheduled to run from 8:10 to 9:10 a.m.
In addition to the speaker, the event will feature the color guard and presentations from the school choir and band.
Clifford began his military career in 1999 as a combat medical specialist in the Army. Seven years later, he earned direct commission into the Medical Service Corps as a health-care administrator. Military assignments through the years have included the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Fort Bragg in North Carolina and several other locations, including a 15-month deployment in 2007-09 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has earned numerous awards and decorations.
Later the same morning, Philomath High School will also host a Veterans Day event open to the public.