Annual flag ceremony restores stars and stripes at Ohio State

A special ceremony has helped restore the look of U.S. flags across the campus of The Ohio State University.

The university’s Office of Military and Veterans Services, in conjunction with the Tri-Service ROTC units, hosted the 2023 Major Lawrence Miller Flag Event last week. The annual ceremony honors Ohio State’s commitment to military students, veterans and their families.

“It is my honor to stand before you as we gather to pay tribute to the American flags that fly across our Columbus campus at the Ohio State University,” said Cadet Sylvia Goldsmith, an ROTC battalion commander, as she opened the ceremony.

The event includes a symbolic flag replacement at Converse Hall, home of the university’s ROTC units, followed by the replacement of flags at 24 locations across campus. The annual ceremony is named for Miller, a two-time Ohio State alumnus.

Maj. Gen. Walter M. Duzzny, an Ohio native and Ohio State graduate, spoke at the ceremony and recalled with fondness his time on campus and the support he and his peers received.

“For my era of cadets here, going to school at Ohio State, attending classes right here behind me at Converse Hall, regardless of the branch of service you are in, we all wore our uniforms with pride and with honor on campus,” he said. “There was never any hesitation. I can’t tell you how many times I walked across the Oval where somebody said, ‘Hey, thanks for your service.’”

Ohio State supports a military-connected contingent of more than 2,300 veterans, dependents, active duty, National Guard and reserve members, and over 2,100 current faculty and staff veterans.

“This is a day primarily to honor our country,” Cadet Kaleb Bauman said. “So for me personally, it means … people have fought for this [flag] before me, and I’m the next generation.”