The eighth annual Judge Frank J. McCown Lecture Series at Ohio University Southern presents a special program to honor military veterans at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Ironton campus.

This year’s theme of “Honor, Courage, Loyalty: Welcoming All Who Served” will recognize veterans of all generations, wars and military conflicts. Program speakers include Jane Julian, HUB Director of the Honor Flight Program in Huntington. To date, more than 100,000 veterans have been transported to Washington, D.C., with the support of the Honor Flight Program to visit the war memorials built in their memory and honor.

Additionally, Timothy Boggs, an Ironton resident and decorated SPC veteran with the United States Army, will give remarks about his military career. Among his many honors and achievements, Boggs is the recipient of two Military Order of the Purple Heart medals, a Combat Action Badge, an Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a NATO Medal. He is also a husband, father and current student at OUS.

Other program highlights for the tribute include reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the playing of Taps.

The Honorable Frank J. McCown was elected as Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge in 1996 after practicing law for many years. He was a driving force in the county’s efforts to restore and maintain the Civil War cannons located in Woodland Cemetery. Judge McCown was also an adjunct professor at Ohio University Southern for 32 years. After losing his battle with leukemia in May of 2007, Ella McCown Jones worked with the office of student services at OUS to establish the Frank McCown Lecture Series in memory of her deceased husband.

The event is free and open to the public. Wearing patriotic colors is encouraged, but not required.

Refreshments will be served following the program. For more information, contact May Ann Wymer at 740-533-4600.