The first wave of Iraq and Afghanistan student veterans are returning home after serving overseas, and now they have a physical meeting space in the Erb Memorial Union. Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) were on hand to celebrate the unveiling of the new Veterans and Family Student Association.
Nadine Clarke, the University’s veterans coordinator, said there are around 187 self-reported Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are students at the University. There may also be another 100 or so who have chosen to keep their veteran status confidential to the school, she said.
Where can these more than 200 veterans meet and be able to gain information on benefits, counseling or just share a cup a coffee? Until a few days ago there was no such place, but on Thursday the VFSA opened its office in the EMU.
Soon-to-be-commissioned University student Lt. Kane Kim introduced the three speakers of the inauguration: Wyden, DeFazio and Director of Housing Mike Eyster.
“We have to do a better job on delivering,” DeFazio said. He explained that the U.S. government routinely piles on promises to U.S. troops while they are enlisting and leaves them flat on their backs when they return from war. Student veteran Noah Mrowczynski was on hand to thank DeFazio for co-sponsoring the Military Readiness Enhancement Act that will help ease the Clinton era’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policies toward troops with same-sex partners.
Wyden said that troops can go from carrying around a rifle in Afghanistan to holding their newly born baby in their arms in as little as eight days. Such a rapid change in lifestyle can be overwhelming for veterans, and often their first instinct upon getting back home isn’t to seek out information on veterans benefits. This is why the Veterans and Family Student Association Center is so important, Wyden said. Now student veterans have a place to go to get information on continuing education, medical benefits and counseling. The Veterans and Family Student Association Center also wants to encourage any Iraq or Afghanistan veteran to come and apply for Veteran’s Work Study. These veterans help process claims of returning veterans.
DeFazio praised the Iraq and Afghanistan student veterans and referred to them as pioneers for fighting for their own center on the main row of the EMU. Not only are they helping themselves to move on but have laid the path for future student veterans to make a better future for themselves and their families.