Army Capt. Mark Anderson returning to Academies as guest speaker for Nov. 11 Veterans Day Ceremony

11/06/12 A 2004 Culver Academies graduate and the former regimental commander, Army Capt. Mark T. Anderson will be the guest speaker at the school’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11.

  The ceremony is held at the Legion Memorial Building and the public is invited. The ceremony will be preceded by regular church services at Memorial Chapel, with a Roman Catholic Mass at 8:55 a.m. followed by a Protestant service at 9:50 a.m.  

  Anderson is currently assigned to A Company, 53^rd Signal Battalion, 1^st Space Brigade, Space and Missile Defense Command at Fort Detrick, Md.  He is the commander of a geographically remote satellite control company responsible for providing world-class critical communication and satellite payload control to the president, National Security Council, Joint Staff, Combatant Commanders, deployed U.S. and Allied forces, and various federal agencies.

Culver’s Veterans Day Ceremony is one of two time-honored traditions tied to Culver Military Academy’s roots in the military, the other being the Gold Star Ceremony on Memorial Day.

Since 1924, Culver has recognized the sacrifices of American and Allied soldiers during World War I at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 – the 11^th month, the 11^th day, the 11^th hour. The ceremony commemorates the signing of the armistice ending World War I and is basically unchanged since it was first conducted at the Legion Memorial Building dedication nearly 90 years ago.

Anderson graduated from Culver Military Academy as a member of the Band. He attended the University of Kansas on a ROTC Scholarship and was commissioned as an Armor Second Lieutenant in May 2008. Following completion of the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, Ky., he was assigned to 3-69 Armor Battalion, 1 Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3^rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga. There, he served as an Assistant Operations Officer, Tank Platoon Leader, and Tank Company Executive Officer, and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom VII and Operation New Dawn. During his Iraqi deployment, his platoon served as the Quick Reaction Force for Sadr City and the Ministry District in Baghdad, Iraq. Additionally, Anderson led his platoon in critical force protection roles during the Iraqi National Elections, and supported the 43^rd Iraqi Army Brigade in sustainment operations.

He transitioned to the Signal Corps through the Army’s Branch Detail Program and graduated from the Signal Officer Branch Qualification Course and Signal Captain’s Career Course at Fort Gordon, Ga.

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (one oak leaf cluster), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (two Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Medal (Service), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).

Anderson and his wife, Mackenzie, live in Frederick, Md.  His has two Culver siblings: Katie Anderson, Class of 2002, and Jackson Anderson, Class of 2011.