MCC honors military service at Lunch with Legends
Military service reaches beyond the person in uniform. It touches families and strengthens communities long after a deployment ends.
That message guided Meridian Community College’s Lunch with Legends, which honored current and former military members during the college’s Military Appreciation Week.
Guest speaker Col. Robert Brady, commander of the 186th Air Refueling Wing at Key Field Air National Guard Base, thanked veterans for their service and recognized the families who support them.
Col. Brady said his military career has taken him away from home for a total of about three years. During those absences, his wife, Melissa, also a military veteran, kept their family moving forward.
“They oftentimes don’t get enough recognition and credit for what they do,” he said of military families.
Col. Brady also praised veterans for the leadership they bring to civilian life as teachers, coaches, business leaders, and public servants.
Drawing on more than 30 years of military experience, he shared lessons about trust, humility, and teamwork. He described the Air Force’s core values in simple terms: Be a good person, be a dependable teammate, and do your job well.
“You have to strive to do what’s important rather than just trying to be important,” Col. Brady said.
He encouraged guests to welcome honest feedback, help others improve and stay focused on their current responsibilities while pursuing future goals. Growth, he added, often means taking on unfamiliar challenges.
“You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable to truly reach your full potential,” he said.
MCC presented Brady with a Legend Award recognizing his dedication, leadership, and service.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/military.