NORFOLK, Neb. – The American flag flies every day at the entrance of Northeast Community College just off Benjamin Ave. in Norfolk. Now the College has added another set of the Stars and Strips to its collection having special significance after traveling to Northeast from a world away.
Air Force Lt. Col. Wendi Sazama informed the College that a flag of the United States was flown over the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sat., Oct. 3, “In honor of Northeast Community College.”
In addition to the flag, an accompanying certificate reads, “Be it known by all, that this flag was flown over the face of the enemy, illuminated in the dark by the light of justice, and bears witness to the removal of terrorist forces threatening the freedom of the United States of America. It was flown with great honor and pride over our nation’s Embassy, where each day Americans fight the Global War on Terrorism in remembrance of all who have lost their lives.”
“On behalf of Northeast Community College, we extend our gratitude to Lt. Col. Sazama for her support of our college and proudly accept this most important symbol of our nation,” said President Leah Barrett. Barrett shared news of receiving the flag and certificate during Thursday’s monthly meeting of the College’s Board of Governors.
Sazama, originally from Bloomfield, is a 2003 graduate of Northeast. She was previously stationed at Eskan Village, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where she served as the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) of the United States Military Training Mission. She is presently stationed at the United States Africa Command, based in Stuttgart, Germany.
After earning a paralegal studies certificate from Northeast, Sazama received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Wayne State College, followed by a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota. She then obtained a “Master of Law in Military Law with an International and Operational Law Specialty” at The Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal School and Center.
During her induction into Northeast’s Alumni Hall of Success in 2016, Sazama said, “The foundational courses that the (Northeast) paralegal certificate program provided me are those that took me from one part of my education to another, and served as a stepping stone to progress down the road that I’m currently at today.”
Barrett said Northeast Community College is honored to receive the extraordinary recognition.
“The flag of the United States reminds us that people such as Lt. Col. Sazama have dedicated their lives to serve and defend our nation, for which we are most grateful.”
The flag and the certificate are on display next to College’s Wall of Honor inside main entrance of the Maclay Building on the Norfolk campus.
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