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Flag Display at Jackson College

Spirit of America Flag Display

A majestic American flag flies over Jackson College’s Central Campus, greeting all students and visitors with its lasting symbol of freedom and glory. It is flanked by the flags of Michigan and of Jackson College to create the Spirit of America flag exhibit.

The late Dick Wendt, formerly an associate professor of biology at the College, first introduced the idea of a flag site back in the late 1970s. Following the horrific Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, our nation saw a renewed sense of pride and patriotism – the time was right for a monumental flag display on Central Campus. It was first constructed in 2002 toward the south side of campus between Potter Center and James McDivitt Hall. When construction of William Atkinson Hall was underway, in 2006 the flag display was moved to its current location off Emmons Road. The display honors our nation, our state and our institution.

Feel free to explore and enjoy the Spirit of America flag display!

Raising of the flag display
Raising of the flags
Veterans saluting flags
Two attendees of flag dedication
View from below of three flags
Veteran saluting
Man honored with flag display
Group helping to raise the flag
singer with orchestra behind
Three plane flyover
Four plane flyover with airstream
flyover with airstream among trees
Rock with dedication plaque

Memorial Boulders

Richard Wendt

“This tribute to service was the vision of Richard Wendt, U.S. Army veteran and retired JCC faculty member.

Special thanks o the following donors for their contributions:

  • City of Jackson
  • Jackson Community College

In Memory of Sharon B. Nichol

  • 1942-1981

In Memory of Mary Karpinski Casey

  • Associate Professor Emerita
  • Spanish – French

In Memory of the Space Shuttle Columbia Crew

  • By The 2nd Grade Class of 2003-2004
  • Cascades Elementary School

In Memory of Lynn Breeden

  • Class of 1966
  • Who Gave His Life For His Country
  • Born May 7, 1945 • Died in Vietnam, October 17, 1967
  • “For Life and Death Are One, Even as the River and the Sea Are One.”  — Kahlil Gibran

Memorial Bench

In Memory of Ward Preston

  • 1931 – 1970
  • Instructor – Administrator

Brick Pavers

  • Jackson County Veterans Council
  • Don and Kathy Clark, Forensics/Speech
  • Betty & Jim Clarke, Colfax, Iowa
  • Harold & Joy Sheffer
  • Pat and Janet Phelan, Maxwell, Iowa
  • The Motto Family, John & Rhea, Jeff, Dave, Terri
  • Adams – Rockey VFW Ladies Auxiliary, 6056 Springport
  • John, Diane & Kelsey Fenby
  • Jerrica Anne Hilleman Ruden, Maxwell, Iowa
  • Clyde E. & Kathy LeTarte, President 1981-93
  • Dan, Nancy, Katie, Michelle, Maggie Phelan
  • Anne & William Albright, Retired JCC Faculty
  • St. Mary Star of the Sea Knights of Columbus
  • American Legion Honor Guard Post 29
  • Elaine Galoit, Counselor 1968 – 1996
  • Mary A. Payne, Chemistry Prof, 1985 – 2003
  • In Memory of Bert H. Walker
  • In Support of Our Freedom, The DaPra Family
  • American Legion Post 252, Grass Lake, MI
  • American Legion Rose City Post 324 Auxiliary & SAL
  • Chriswell, Lyle & Patricia, JCC Emerita
  • Tom & Carolyn Fleming, Faculty
  • Fred Probert, A JCC Visionary, 1892 – 1971
  • George & Donna Potter
  • Wm. Sparks #10 D.A.V. Jackson Chapter
  • In Memory of Dody Reeve, Robert Douglass
  • Don & Myrna Dutcher, Don – 1935 Graduate, Myrna – JCC Emerita
  • Vic & Gretchen Marshall
  • William & Deborah Strohaver
  • Milo C. Thompson, LTC Ret. U.S. Army, 1942 – 1973
  • Sgt. Karl Kersch, U.S.A.F. 1973 – 77, JCC Faculty
  • Frank J. Kruszka, WWI U.S. 5th Div., 1887 – 1967
  • SSGT. WK Johannes, Special Forces Vietnam Veteran
  • S/SGT. D. Travis, Army Air Force, WWII 1942 – 1946
  • Albert Krieger, SP4 Army, Cold War
  • Jacob W. Master, U.S. Army, World War II
  • Velma K. Webb, Thomas S. Webb, Capt. USN WWII
  • The Wendts, Kevin, Tammie, Ryan, Nathan
  • A Salute to Henry Ambrose Hepplewaite
  • SP5 David G. Thompson, Army Vietnam 1968 – 1969
  • 303 Military Police Co., Cuba 2002
  • Mike Clarke MD, U.S. Navy, JCC UM WSU Grad
  • Donald A. Deaver, U.S. Coast Guard, 1942 – 1946
  • LCpI Dave Teller, Marine Veteran, 1941-2001
  • Maj. Donald Troyer, U.S.M.C. Aviator, 1941-46, 1951-52
  • Fred E. Krieger, Sgt. Army, World War II
  • Gordon J. Glair, U.S. Army 1954 – 56
  • Grand Royal Order of Ancient Neanderthals
  • Douglas, Diana, Kyle Liechty, Shauna Alexander
  • In Memory of Julie Ann Wendt, Oct. 28 Dec. 10 1970
  • Charles & Elouise Cooke, USAF Ret. 388 BG 8AF WWII
  • Myron R. Sears, U.S. Navy 1943 – 46, JCC Prof 1961 – 83
  • Chuck Lyons, Vietnam 1966 – 68, JCC Mereri 80 – 01
  • Clyde Nick Welliver, U.S. Army 1942 – 46
  • Prof. Emeritus James M. & Alumna M. Sue Wallace
  • Clair E. Barnum SST U.S. Air Force, 1948 – 1952
  • Herbert Krieger, CPL Army, World War I
  • Dr. Rod Riggs USN, Korea 1949 – 1953, UDT / SEAL ETR I
  • Herbert L. Howell, Capt. U.S. Army World War II
  • Richard Wendt, 96th Inf. Div. WWII, 18th ABN Corps
  • JCC / Dick Wendt Charities
  • Major Robert Griffith, Army
  • Harry & Florence Curtis – WWII, Europe & At Home
  • SSGT Jeffrey W Schnider, U.S.A.F. 1970 – 1978
  • In Memory of Carl Conrad, U.S. Army WWII
  • Dr. Wilbur Dungy, JCC Prof., WWII Tuskegee Airman
  • Edward P. Sussell, Prof. Emeritus, WWII 1942 – 1945
  • Herbert Krieger, SSGT Army World War II
  • PFC. Bernie Riggs, U.S. Army Air Corps, 1945 – 1946
  • Col. I. R. Wendt, WWII Korea Vietnam, VFW St. Cmdr. 86-87
  • Carolyn Dammann, Fred Dammann, Lt. Cdr. USN Ret.
  • In Memory of Karl Dammann, Love, Mom, Dad
  • In Memory of Richard Hinkley Sr., Florence Keppel
  • SGT. Ken Krejcik, U.S.A.F. 1966-70 and Family
  • ILT Hedwig Diane Orlowski ANC 11/30/67 Vietnam
  • Charles E. Houser, U.S. Navy Korea 1949 – 1958
  • Virgil Kingsley, JCC Biology 17 Yrs., WWII 3rd Army Euro.
  • Kenneth Krieger, AMIC Air Force, Cold War
  • Melvin Gill JC49, JCC Emeritus, 96 Inf. Div. WWII
  • Debbie, Katie, Bryan Boes. Erin & Shawn Molitor
  • Rick, Callie, Maya, Dustin, Rosemary Wendt
  • Richard Wendt, Janet W. Wendt, JCC Bio. Emeriti
  • Supporting America, May Construction
  • September 11, 2001 For All Those Lost
  • Sean and Adam Burgess 2002
  • Chet & Jill Taraskiewicz
  • Bob & Linda Trumbull
  • Jerry & Eleanor Kratz Care
  • Dr. Michael & Michele Burgess, 2002
  • In Memory of Gary Wetzel-Righettini, Faculty
  • Bailey Excavating Co.
  • Anton J. Streiff, For the Class of 1934 of Jackson Jr. College
  • The Dobben Family
  • In Memory of Dorothy Bahlau, 1924 – 2003
  • The Carltons in Memory of John Kirkpatrick
  • The Houchins, Wilmer, Mary, Bill, Diana, Sandy, Kay
  • 7NW Nurses, Foote Hospital
  • Stephen M. Beison, Biology Professor, 1987 – 2004
  • New Horizons Tour & Travel, in Memory 9/11/01
  • As Service Grows, Freedom Glows, beckenjer
  • Blaine & Connie Lyle
  • Jack Dakessian in Recognition of Our Veterans
  • Gary P. Smith Family
  • Bill & Jan Anderson
  • Amy & Bryon Ennis
  • In Loving Memory of Pat Chriswell, 1934 – 2006
  • DSA Architects 2006
  • Jackson Financial Group
  • John A. & Deborah Pines Friedrich
  • Junior Dorcas Society, 1903 – 2003
  • Margaret Mathein, Class of 1934
  • The William Ellison Family
  • Gordon & Jan Glair
  • In Loving Memory Dick Wendt 1924 – 2006
  • Peter Basso Associates 2006
  • Fritz Advertising Co. Since 1950
  • Grindall & White Mechanical Contractor
  • To Be Free Is To Learn – Love – Live, Miles & Nan Shadley
  • George Long Elementary School, Grass Lake, MI
  • In Memory of Harold & Betty Kelly
  • The Medlar Family