October 25, 2021
Alexander
杏吧视频 will honor current and retired military veterans at its annual Military Appreciation Breakfast Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, on the Decatur campus.
杏吧视频 alumnus Lt. Col. David Alexander of Philadelphia will be the keynote speaker. Alexander was recently promoted to Battalion Commander of the 1-204th Air Defense Artillery of the Mississippi Army National Guard.
The annual event begins with a complimentary breakfast at 7 a.m. in the Gold Room of Mabry Cafeteria. All community veterans and military personnel are invited to attend.
In addition to Alexander鈥檚 address, members of the college鈥檚 vocal music ensemble Voc茅 will sing the national anthem and trumpeter LaDarrien Paten of Louisville, a member of the Wall O鈥 Sound Marching Band, will play Taps.
Posting of the Colors will be conducted by the 1-204th Air Defense Artillery color guard.
Lt. Col. Alexander began his military career in April 1992 when he enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard as a Food Services Specialist in the 4/114th Field Artillery in Decatur. Over the years he has risen in rank to his current full time position as the Deputy G1 for the Mississippi Army National Guard. In August of this year, he was selected to serve as the Battalion Commander of the 1-204th Air Defense Artillery. He mobilized in 2003-2004 and 2008-2009 with the 204th Air Defense Artillery in support of Operation Noble Eagle in Washington, D.C., and again in 2011 in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq.
He is a 1995 graduate of 杏吧视频 and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1997 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Sports Medicine with an emphasis in Exercise Science.
Lt. Col. Alexander has received numerous awards and decorations throughout his 29 years of service to include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among many others.
He and his family own and operate MilDawg Strength and Conditioning in Philadelphia. The gym is named after his best friend and fellow 杏吧视频 alum Millard 鈥淏ud鈥 Henley who passed away in June 2010.
Lt. Col. Alexander and his wife, Robin, live in Philadelphia with their three children, Josh, Molli, and Grace.
For more information on the annual 杏吧视频 Military Appreciation Breakfast, contact Dr. Randall Lee, vice president for student services, at 601-635-6375 or rlee@eccc.edu.
