By Jeff Murphy,
April 25, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – The University of Central Missouri invites members of the local
community and all others who are interested to a pre-Memorial Day ceremony in honor
of individuals who gave their lives in service to the United States. The ceremony
begins at noon Wednesday, May 25, on the east side lawn of the Alumni Memorial Chapel,
and will be moved inside the chapel if inclement weather occurs.
A retired member of the U.S. Marines Corps, Major John T. Schwent Jr., executive director
of Camp Valor Outdoors, a non-profit organization that helps wounded veterans, will
present the keynote address in a ceremony that includes participation from members
of the university and Warrensburg communities. The event also includes a Moment of
Honor for POW-MIA soldiers; video of the “Old Rugged Flag” performed by the late Johnny
Cash; musical salute to the Armed Forces; the laying of a wreath in honor of those
who lost their lives in service; the reading of a poem in honor of veterans; and more.
Robin Crouch, chair of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee,
will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
The event also will include participation from UCM administrators, local leaders and
rifle guard members from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2513 and the American Legion
Post 131, representatives of Whiteman Air Force Base, a UCM Army ROTC alumnus, and
representative of the Missouri Veterans Home.
Schwent served for nearly 23 years active duty in the Marines, and his last duty assignment
was in Kansas City as the deputy director for Marine Corps Total Force Systems, HQMC.
While in the service, he was part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and participated
in Operation Sharp Edge, Monrovia, Liberia. He also became a primary marksmanship
instructor for the Marines. From 2010-2014, he served as head coach of the Marine
Corps Wounded Warrior Shooting Team, having won 65 out of 90 medals over four Warrior
Games, a para-Olympic-style competition for all military members. He currently participates
in local, state, regional and national shooting competitions and is the head coach
of the Special Operations Command Wounded Warrior Shooting Team.
Schwent’s other honors include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation
Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary
Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.
After leaving the military, Schwent worked as a vice president of operations for a
national manufacturing firm, and served as a chief executive officer for Iron County
Hospital in Pilot Knob, where he retired in May 2012 to devote more time to helping
veterans. He has aided more than 700 military veterans and their families since he
founded and became executive director of Camp Valor Outdoors, Kingsville, in January
2013. His mission is to assist ill, injured and wounded veterans in the healing process
through adaptive competitive outdoor activities including guided hunting, fishing,
shooting, archery, and 4-wheeling.
Individuals who have questions about the pre-Memorial Day observance may contact Delilah
Nichols, coordinator of Military and Veteran Services at UCM, at 660-543-8977 or nichols@ucmo.edu.
