Vanguard University's Veterans Challenge Coin Ceremony honors 10 military members

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Members of the Fullerton Recruiting Company present the colors during the 6th annual Challenge Coin ceremony at Vanguard University on Thursday. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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Class of 2016 student veteran speaker Christopher Merkle, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps., address fellow graduates and guests during the 6th annual Challenge Coin ceremony at Vanguard University on Thursday. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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Graduate Starr Ellington, center, a member of the U.S. Air Force, is led to the refreshments by son Joshua, far right, as she joins husband Marcus, far left, holding daughter Judaea during the conclusion of the 6th annual Challenge Coin ceremony at Vanguard University on Thursday. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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Master of ceremonies MGySgt. Brian Burlingame (retired) holds up a Challenge Coin before handing them out to graduates during the 6th annual Challenge Coin ceremony at Vanguard University on Thursday. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

By Daily Pilot staff

April 28, 2016 5:19 PM PT

Vanguard University’s annual Veterans Challenge Coin Ceremony on Thursday honored 10 military service members who are graduating from the Costa Mesa university this year.

The university welcomed the graduates, their families and friends and other community members to the campus’s Veterans Courtyard of Honor.

At the ceremony, each graduate was presented with a coin that depicts the U.S. flag and the flag of the graduate’s branch of service on one side and the Vanguard University logo on the other side.

According to a news release, use of such coins dates to World War I, when a lieutenant ordered bronze coins for the members of his squadron. Traditionally, military members have carried what are known as challenge coins to display pride.

Vanguard University’s Veterans Challenge Coin Ceremony honors 10 military members