Joe Hadley hates being late to class.
While this virtue may be common for a majority of flustered college students, Hadley’s commitment is the result of a ten-year stint in a slightly more disciplined institution: the U.S. Army.
“To me, getting into the classroom five minutes early is still painfully late,” said Hadley, Director of the University’s Veterans and Family Student Association. “We student veterans are a much more disciplined and mature population than the average students here.”
This week, nationally-recognized Veterans Awareness Week offers a range of veteran appreciation events and support initiatives on campus, from a formal ceremony on Veterans Day to a VFSA-run toy drive for children of deployed soldiers.
The VFSA is a student organization that offers “support to veterans and strive to educate both the public and student body about the personal sacrifices made by this nation’s veterans.” Although only in its fourth year, the VFSA has established a strong presence in both the campus and local communities.
Last year, the group held a clothing and outdoor gear drive for homeless veterans as well as a charitable Memorial Ball. This May, VFSA hosted an art show featuring works by student veterans.
Aside from VFSA’s community outreach and awareness efforts, the group is committed to providing internal support to student veterans.
Gretchen Jewett, coordinator of the University’s Nontraditional Student Programs that include the veterans association, calls VFSA a smaller, more unique community within the larger campus community.
“Many student veterans are significantly older than the average college student, and have had very unique experiences in the military,” Jewett said. “VFSA is a place for these students to connect and share stories with similar students and feel comfortable in the University environment.”
Jewett explained how the VFSA serves as a type of advisory group to veterans, sharing knowledge and resources with new members.
At times, former military members simply want to find someone to talk to. Hadley said that the recently established Veteran Friendly Listeners Program, a campus-wide organization formed to encourage communication between student veterans, faculty and staff, was created specifically for this reason.
“We see veterans coming to us just wanting to sit and talk about their experiences,” Hadley said.
Throughout the entire week of awareness, the VFSA will have a booth set up in the EMU Amphitheater.
Sam Bennett, who sat at the booth Tuesday morning, was a member of the U.S. Army more than 20 years ago. He said he finds the VFSA office a relaxing environment where he can comfortably interact with other like-minded veterans.
“As an older student on campus with a history in the military, it’s great to talk to other people who know where I’m coming from,” Bennett said.
As a student veteran, Bryan Longoria, VFSA Communications Officer and Nontraditional Student Advocate, sees Veterans Day in a different light.
“I use Veterans Day to realize how good I have it as a college student and how good Americans have it here in the States,” Longoria said.
A former Marine, Longoria praised VFSA for giving him an opportunity to grow close with fellow veterans who can understand the often humorous and ridiculous aspects of military service.
However, Longoria said, “At the end of the day, we’re all on the same team and appreciate what we’ve accomplished.”
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Remembering our veterans
Daily Emerald
November 10, 2009
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