Honoring Those Who Serve

As we celebrate the birth of our country this week, Mississippi University for Women alums honor our family members who have served or are serving in the armed forces of our country.

Sarah Sheffield ('06) honors her father, William Sheffield.  He was in the Navy for twenty-two years, including three tours in Vietnam. Sarah says, "Our veterans are the very reasons we have the freedoms we have in America. Their service and sacrifice is never forgotten and I give my eternal gratitude for what they have given me."

Ellen Kirby Shannahan ('77) is honored to be the daughter of West Point graduate W.D. Kirby, Jr., who served in the Army for twelve years as a helicopter pilot. She is also the wife of Norman E. Shannahan, who enlisted during the Vietnam era while working in a draft-exempt job because he felt it was his patriotic duty. He retired as a major after twenty years of service and two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.

Mary Libby Bickerstaff Payne ('54) is the daughter, wife and mother of veterans.  Her father, Reece O. Bickerstaff from Tishomingo, served as a Private, U. S. Army, during World War I (he was in France at the time of the armistice).  Her husband, Bobby R. Payne (shown left) from Morgan, TX, was a Staff Sgt., U. S. Air Force during the  Korean Conflict (1951-1955).  He served most of his enlistment in the personnel office at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.  Her son, Reece A. Payne from Pearl, was a Petty Officer 1st Class, in U. S. Navy and served from 1989-2009.  He served three tours in the Persian Gulf; sea duty in the Baltic Sea; and a short mission into waters off Somalia.  His shore duty was in Norfolk, VA. His retirement photo is below.

Cheryl "Sherrie" Jackson Cooper ('82) has always defined herself as a "Daddy's Girl" and grew up with her father's military service as a big part of her childhood. Robert Ralph Jackson served in Japan during the Korean War. "My father met my mom while he was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, and we all knew they would never have met otherwise. She was an Arkansas girl staying with her older brother in San Antonio and he was a 'Yankee' from upstate New York," she explains. In addition, Sherrie says her dad was the "go-to guy" for all childhood injuries: "He had been a medic and so we always knew he'd know what to do in a crisis."  Although he passed away in 1977, while Sherrie was a junior in high school, she says the lessons she learned from her father -- many of them passed on from his Air Force experiences -- are a valuable part of her daily life.

Dana Jackson ('93) is grateful to be the daughter of William Brent Jackson, who served in the Army during WWII. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and was a German POW until the liberation in May 1945. His namesake, Dana's nephew, is currently serving in the Navy.

Hilary Lumpkin Hawkins, daughter of Nita Byrd Lumpkin ('67), graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, and afterward served 6 years as a surface warfare officer.  She had two deployments to the Far East on an LDS -- a ship that carries Marines and their equipment -- while stationed in San Diego for four years.  Her last two years were served in Key West, FL. Since leaving the Navy in 2004, she has worked as an Assistant Project Manager for Atlantic Marine Corps Communities, a contractor that refurbishes and rebuilds military housing for the Marine Corps in several locations.  The photo to the left shows Hilary on her wedding day, eight years after graduation, with her Annapolis friends.

Heather Dunn Schmitt ('07) comes from a family with a strong military background.  "I have three men in my life who have served in the Air Force," she explains. "My grandfather, Lt. Col. Robert E. Dunn (deceased), was a pilot in the Army Air Corps before it changed to the Air Force; my father, Captain Charles D. Dunn (retired), was in Research and Development for a top-secret satellite program (the details of which he STILL cannot share more than thirty years later!); and my husband, Major Andrew Schmitt, is currently piloting the KC-135R Stratotanker at RAF Mildenhall, England.  The sacrifices they made, and are continuing to make, in order to serve our country are huge; however, they all understood (as did we, as family) that the sacrifice was well worth it in the end.  In my opinion, being in the military is one of the most important jobs out there; we, as a country, must keep up our due diligence in order to protect those freedoms which we all hold so dear.  I thank 'my men,' and ALL our service men and women, for their continuing service to our country."

Neely Woods Hunter ('95) is the proud daughter of Michael Alan Woods, who served in the US Army from 1970-1977 in the 1010 Supply and Service out of Pittsburg, KS.  She is the proud granddaughter-in-law of John Stanley Hunter, who joined the Georgia National Guard in 1938, went active duty December 1940, and served throughout WWII, participating in the landing at Normandy.  Granddaddy Stanley's birthday is as patriotic as he is: July 4, 1920!

Hershel Young Quarles, Jr., a native of Stone County, Mississippi, and father of Lydia Quarles ('71), was a bombadeer/navigator on a B-17 ("Flying Fortress"), which was in the same squadron as the famous "Memphis Belle": Squadron 324 of the 91st Heavy Bomber Unit.  This flying wing was a part of the 8th Army Air Force and it was located in Bassenborne, Cambridgeshire, Britain. He was wounded on December 23, 1944, ending his WWI tour. You can meet Lydia's dad and the men with whom he served in this video.

Carolyn Camper Mann ('60) is honored to be the spouse of Capt. Harry E. Mann (deceased), who served during the Vietnam War. He was a crew member on B-66s and flew 100 missions over North Vietnam. He also flew missions over North Vietnam in B-52s. "Many memories are attached to that ten-year period in our lives," she says.

Ruth Wilz Curcuru ('83) is the proud daughter of Major John "Pat" Wilz, USAF.  Pat served twenty-five years, retiring in 1972 after serving at bases throughout the US as well as in Japan, Canada and Turkey.  The photo above was taken at his retirement ceremony (the oldest girl is Ruth). She is grateful for his service and for all those who have defended our freedom.

Ashley Dean ('06) is proud to be the daughter of General Robert Dean, whose assignments included a deployment to Kuwait during her W years.

Courtney Ballard Murtaugh ('78) is honored to be the mother of 2nd Lt. Keefe Murtaugh, USMC. Keefe is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 2009. Keefe is currently attending Infantry Officer School in Quantico, VA. “I am amazed at my son’s courageous determination and commitment to something much bigger than himself. It is an honor to be his mom and have him as my son," she explains.

Anne Swearingen, ('73) recognizes her sister, Dr. Lynn Swearingen ('76), who served as a physician in the Navy.

Mississippi's First Alumnae Association joins these alumnae in celebrating our military heroes and veterans this Independence Day and thanks them and all our servicemen and women for their service to our country.  Feel free to add a comment celebrating the military service of your loved ones.