North Columbus News

Members of The Ohio State University’s tri-service ROTC programs held the annual Major Lawrence Miller Flag Ceremony at the Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium on Wednesday, honoring a former U.S. Navy special warfare operator and alumnus with a new flag.

The event, which retires and replaces flags around campus, pays tribute to military students, veterans, and their families connected to the university. The ceremony is named after Major Lawrence Miller, who earned two degrees from Ohio State. Philanthropic support from his family and friends led to the creation of several university-wide initiatives, including this flag ceremony and the Major Lawrence Miller Community Advocate Program.

Jim Miller, president of the National Veterans Leadership Foundation and son of Major Miller, commented on the importance of the flags displayed across campus: “But there’s one thing that they hold in common, which is the need to be cherished and to be flying with dignity,” he said.

This year’s ceremony focused on replacing the flag at the Tyler Murphy Flagpole. Stephen “Tyler” Murphy was a Navy special warfare boat operator who joined in 2004 and served with Special Boat Team Twenty before leaving active duty in 2010. He completed a degree in security and intelligence at Ohio State in 2012 while serving in the Navy reserves. Murphy died in 2022.

Nick Myers, head coach of men’s lacrosse at Ohio State, spoke about Murphy: “I would like to speak on behalf of the Murphy family and how much they would appreciate this opportunity, this moment,” Myers said. “Murph was a humble warrior. He would talk in our locker room about the walk of the humble warrior. He had a servant heart. He loved his country. He loved to serve, and he loved to give. He gave everything he had.”

The Tyler Murphy Flagpole stands at the southeast entrance of Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium; it was dedicated in 2023 as recognition for Murphy’s service.