Area Veterans Honored

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Tri-Rivers saluted area Veterans Tuesday, November 11, 2014 with two assemblies held in the Giauque Auditorium at the Career Center. The featured speakers were husband and wife, retired Colonel Kenneth W. Fryman, U. S. Air Force and retired Colonel Mary K. Fryman, U.S. Air Force.

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Colonel Mary Fryman served over 30 years of active duty to her country, starting out as a commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1972. Prior to that she had earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the Texas Christian University in 1970. She later earned a Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Ball State University in 1975. Over the years, she had several tours of duty. In 1993 she became the Chief Nurse, Operating Room Services at Wilford Hall Medical Center and later the Director of Surgery and finally as Commander, Aeromedical-Dental Group. In 1998, she became the Hospital Commander at Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, Montana. She was reassigned to Wright-Patterson AFB as the Regional HMO(TRICARE) Clinical Director. She retired in 2002.

Colonel Kenneth Fryman also served around 30 years of active duty. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from The Ohio State University in 1970 and a Masters in Business Administration from Webster University in 1981. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1970 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He was a Personnel Officer with a wide variety of assignments that included tours of duty in San Antonia, Thailand, West Germany, New Mexico, Nebraska, Ohio and Montana. He retired in 2000 as the base Inspector General at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.

Both retired Colonels said their military experiences were challenging and rewarding. They currently live in Springfield, Ohio and have two adult children—Kevin and Kari. Kevin is a Caption in the United States Army and recently returned from his third tour in Afghanistan.

The veterans and their families were served breakfast in C.C. Bistro, then escorted by students to the assemblies. The student-led assembly recognized the veterans’ service with essays, songs by preschoolers, and featured speakers.

A representative from Honor Flight recognized the continued support of Tri-Rivers’ students and staff in their fundraising efforts to send Veterans to Washington DC to see the memorial.

The event was organized by the Social Studies Department.