University plans annual Veterans Day ceremony

Major Callie Wheeler Becraft, who commissioned from ROTC at Pittsburg State University as a Medical Service Officer and Distinguished Military Graduate in 2012 and is now an assistant professor of Military Science, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11.

It is planned for 1 p.m. at the PSU Veterans Memorial, 1909 S. Rouse Ave. The annual event is open to the public. Local sixth graders from Pittsburg Community Middle School and St. Mary's Colgan are invited as a civics lesson.

Major Callie Becraft enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 2007 as a motor transport operator, prior to graduating from Olathe South High School in '08.

With degrees in psychology and clinical mental health counseling, Becraft practiced as a licensed professional counselor in several states in a variety of settings while maintaining her dual career as an officer in the Kansas Army National Guard.

She has served as platoon leader and executive officer of the 1077th Ground Ambulance Medical Company, company commander for 69th Troop Command Higher Headquarters Detachment, operations officer and clinical training officer for the Kansas Medical Detachment, and Brigade S-1 for the 635th Regional Support Group.

Her most recent role was serving as the administrative officer for the Medical Detachment in Lenexa, Kansas.

Her husband, Kyle Becraft, originally from Belton, Missouri, also has served. He enlisted in the Navy in 2017 and served at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, and the Beachmaster Unit One in Coronado, California. He deployed on the U.S.S. Ashland, the U.S.S. Anchorage, and the U.S.S. America. His commendations include multiple medals, expert marksman ribbons, and Sailor of the Year in 2021.

About the ceremony

In addition to the keynote address, Pitt State President Dan Shipp and Vice President Kathleen Flannery will offer remarks. Veterans for whom pavers have been installed will be recognized and St. Mary's Colgan Choir will perform musical selections.The ROTC Color Guard will play a role, and a PSU Music major will perform Taps.

In the event of rain or inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer, a block west of the Veterans Memorial.

The ceremony will be recorded and available for later viewing on demand at youtube.com/pittsburgstate