University of Lynchburg will observe Veterans Day at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11 in Snidow Chapel with a keynote by Col. Paul H. Lilly Jr., a 1961 LC graduate, and music provided by the Jefferson Chorale Society.
Col. Lilly is an F-15E WSO/pilot, USAF chief flight surgeon, and physician. His Air Force career is marked by numerous honors and distinctions. He has served in several units as chief of Aeromedical Services and as medical consultant to NASA Langley, performing research on weightlessness for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory. He was honored to be selected to be commander of the Edwards AFB Medical Group.
His military distinctions include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
While in the civilian sector, he practiced family medicine and served as a police medical examiner and adviser to several rescue squads and fire departments. He was founder and chairman of the Blue Ridge Emergency Medical Services Council and member of the Virginia Governor’s EMS board. Col. Lilly is a senior aviation medical examiner and charter pilot. His community contributions include founding Blue Ridge Occupational Health and development of a shopping center and a local bank.
Col. Lilly, who still flies his own plane and is a certified flight instructor, has more than 4,000 flying hours, including more than 150 combat hours in Southeast Asia. He and his wife, Betty Jo, have six children and live on their farm, Winds Aloft, near Bedford, Virginia.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill and funds from LC (based on our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program) pay tuition and fees for eligible LC degree candidates and provide a housing allowance and money for books and supplies. Learn more.