by Bryan Gentry
Wall of Honor recognizes the service of Longview employees and students (Jordan Lee/The Current).
Across the nation, the Student Veterans of America are helping former soldiers adjust to life as a student. The Longview chapter of SVA opened in the spring of 2007 and has been growing since.
“We’re trying to raise awareness,” Longview SVA president Bill Kelly said, “and help veterans make the transition from boots to books.”
SVA is a support group for student veterans. The group also keeps an eye on the treatment of veterans on college.
“We want to make sure every veteran is receiving the accommodations they need,” SVA treasurer Jim Atkins said. “It’s for family members and friends of veterans too, not just veterans.”
SVA members estimate that more than 120 veterans are on campus. The number of SVA members falls well short of this. The group would like all veterans on campus to know that SVA is there for them, and would like to help them with their college experience.
“We’re here to support each other. The way soldiers support each other,” Longview SVA Vice President Matt Baker said.
“Many of the people in this group are doing great [in school],” SVA sponsor Jim McGraw said.
The organization is open to friends of veterans, as well as veterans themselves.
“Anyone who wants to help can,” Kelly said.
They have been making their presence felt around campus, hosted campus activities. Last semester they collected supplies for soldiers in the Middle East. By the end of the semester, the box was overflowing. They also did a ring toss for a Thanksgiving Day turkey. It was sponsored by Hy-Vee and all proceeds went directly to veterans.
Their work can be seen in the Longview Campus Center. The Wall of Honor, located in the main entrance of the cafeteria, pays tribute to those who serve the nation. More specifically, the wall highlights the military service of Longview employees, faculty and students.
Honored on the wall are English professor Eric Sullivan, history professor Steven Murphy, criminal justice professor Rick Turner, and several others. The organization will have the case until April.
February 3, 2009 at 11:26 am
This project was a project from the heart and I am honored to say that I was excited to put this display together along with Jim Atkins.
Seeing my son’s Dress Blues displayed really drives home the job my son is doing for everyone here at Longview(my son Ryan is serving in Iraq) and in this country.
When this display was first brought up we wanted the Faculty and Students here to see that the womderful Veterans are Instructors and fellow students and to drive home the fact that the freedom that some may take for granted did and still comes with a high price.
For some it was with their bodies, for some like me the price comes with late nights, constant worrying, sleepless nights and no word from your military person for months on end.
When my son did deploy to the “Sandbox” not only did he go but the wholw family goes too.
So, when you all walk past the display don’t snicker or make nasty comments but thank a Veteran or say a pray for those serving now and if nothing else remember this: Freedom DOES not come free but it has a high price and people like my son Ryan and other servicemen and woman and those who have served before them have picked up thetab.