Today@Sam Article
Veterans Week To Salute Servicemen, Servicewomen
Nov. 1, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Tyler Pointer
Sam Houston State University will celebrate and show gratitude to veterans across the nation with the Fourth Annual Veterans Appreciation Week, Nov. 4-11.
Hosted by the Veterans Resource Center at SHSU in correlation with Veterans Day, on Nov. 11, Veterans Appreciation Week was launched to further thank and show recognition beyond just a day, according to director of the VRC Fernando Chavez.
“It’s important not only for our veterans on campus, but for all of our veterans, because they’ve given up so much for us,” assistant director of the VRC Kelli Leaf said. “I think they need to know that they’re appreciated. They’ve earned our respect.”
The VRC has planned a full week of activities and events in collaboration with other campus entities.
On Friday (Nov. 4), yellow ribbons will be tied throughout the Lowman Student Center Mall area in memory and honor of veterans with messages from their loved ones as tribute on the individual ribbons.
On Saturday (Nov. 5), the VRC will attend the football tailgate along with several area high schools’ NJROTC and AJROTC. An Army recruiting station, a U.S. Marine Corps recruiting station and military vehicle display will also be at the tailgate.
On Tuesday (Nov. 8), the Veterans Alliance Network will have training for Talent Management available to faculty and staff at 2 p.m. in LSC Room 320. The program comprises an hour-and-a-half training that raises awareness of experiences related to students’ military experiences in an effort to provide them with an encouraging, structured environment on campus.
The Counseling Center will have a special presentation given by Deborah O’Donnell, case manager for Counseling Services, and Charlotte Jackson, mental health counselor for Counseling Services, on Thursday (Nov. 10) at 3:15 p.m. in the LSC Room 315, focusing on the difficulties veterans face when transitioning into student life, with consideration to special populations. The presentation will also include the warning signs to look for and what to do for intervention.
“The general culture of the military itself versus the culture of college life is extremely different,” O’Donnell said. “I hope the presentation will alleviate some anxiety and that people challenge their own biases of what they think veterans are and help them be able to understand that it’s OK to ask a question and maybe teach them how.”
Finally, on Friday (Nov. 11), there will be an Armistice Day observation at 11:11 a.m. at the flagpoles outside Johnson Coliseum and the VRC will host “Grillin’ and Chillin’” immediately following until 1 p.m. at the Academic Building III lawn.
Many different departments are also hosting separate events and exhibits to honor veterans throughout the week.
“As this continues, we want to get more participation throughout the university community and want it to be a university-wide event, where all of the colleges and all of the departments participate,” Leaf said.
For more information, call the VRC at 936.294.1046.
- END -
This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office:
Director of Content Communications: Emily Binetti
Communications Manager: Mikah Boyd
Telephone: 936.294.1837
Communications Specialist: Campbell Atkins
Telephone: 936.294.2638
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu