 "Photo: Submitted photo")
Minnesota State kicked off Veterans Day with a ceremony in the Centennial Student Union, serving free cake and a few words of wisdom from veteran and military science professor Joel Stephenson.
"I'm very proud of this generation of soldiers," Stephenson said. "Veterans are woven into the fabric of society, and it makes me very happy to know that this country supports our troops."
Stephenson is a West Point graduate and has completed a total of 27 months on tour in Iraq. There are more than 500 veterans currently enrolled at MSU, many of which are non-traditional students.
Assimilation back into civilian life can be difficult and problematic for those returning home from active service. The Veterans Resource Center, (VRC) located on the lower level of the CSU, offers an open-door experience and welcoming smiles to service members looking for a helping hand.
The president of the Veterans Club, Sergeant James Zierdt, served 4 years active duty with the 101 1st airborne unit and spent one year on tour in Iraq. His primary job was to handle the finances of the soldiers overseas as a sort of army accountant. Fearing that veterans would lose school recognition, Sargeant Zierdt rewrote the constitution and bylaws of the Veterans Club last summer, assuring that they will always have a voice and resources here on campus.
"It's really just a place for us to hang out and find out about our benefits," he said. "Our primary goal here is to help Veterans in any way that we can. We want to ensure the smoothest transition possible back into civilian life."
Staff Sergeant Eric Gregor spent 16 months in Afghanistan and completed a total of eight years in the Army. After 9/11, he tried out for the Green Berets, a type of special forces that works in tactical small man teams. The successful completion of two years worth of grueling training earned Sergeant Gregor the unmistakable special-forces patch.
"It was a little strange to be back from duty and sitting in a sociology 101 class. Other than that, I've adjusted pretty well," Gregor said. "Veterans day really is just a chance for everyone to recognize the sacrifices of the men and women that fight for our freedoms."
Not all soldiers go on tour and shoot bad guys. Many soldiers, like Captain Sarah Woods, participate in reconstruction and various other non-combative projects.
"I spent my time in Iraq building schools and securing a portable water source for the locals," she said. Woods said her tour in Iraq was phenomenal and asserted her training had sufficiently prepared her to for any and all situations that she may have encountered overseas. Her transition back to civilian life has been smooth with only a few minor bumps in the road.
"Veterans Day has always been important to me," she said. "Now that I fit into the category of veteran, my conviction for the holiday has grown exponentially. It reminds everyone that there are people still out there fighting. It gives us all a chance to honor the service of those past, present and still to come."
Steven Piroso is a Reporter staff writer
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