DAHLONEGA - The University of North Georgia's Department of Athletics has announced the kick off its award-winning Operation Nighthawks of Honor initiative as it recognizes service members who were former or current UNG students.
 
The event, which is the annual announcement of UNG Athletics' yearlong tribute to the nation's armed forces, will honor COL (R) Gerald Lord.

Lord earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education and history from North Georgia, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in infantry upon graduation in 1961. He served for more than 30 years, including combat tours in Vietnam. He served as Professor of Military Science and Commandant of Cadets at UNG from 1984 to 1988, followed by his final assignment on active duty as commander of the U.S. Army Garrison in Fort McPherson, Georgia, from 1988 to 1991.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 19 Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab.
 
He was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2015.
 
The fifth annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor ceremony will be held in conjunction with a Peach Belt Conference basketball doubleheader against Young Harris in the UNG Convocation Center on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020.  The games are also billed as UNG's annual Spirit Night.
 
Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the UNG Boar's Head Brigade Corps of Cadets Endowed Scholarship Fund to which Nighthawk Athletics has donated over $2,700 since the initiative's inception on the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The celebration will feature a message from COL Lord to the UNG Boars Head Brigade Corps of Cadets followed by the inaugural Operation Nighthawks of Honor march to the Convocation Center. After a brief on-court ceremony during halftime of the women's game, COL Lord and the initiative will be celebrated with a reception.
 
One of only six federally designated senior military colleges in the nation, UNG is The Military College of Georgia and its nationally recognized Army ROTC program attracts students from across the state, region and nation.
 
UNG has commissioned more than 50 General Officers, ten of whom are currently serving in a variety of command positions including: Commander (Third Army/ARCENT), Commander (XVIII Airborne Corps), Deputy Commander (U.S. Army Europe), Commander U.S. Cyber Command and many more. Many other alumni of UNG completed successful military careers and hundreds are currently serving on active duty today at all levels of command.