Editorial
Tremendous efforts by the university on Veterans Day brings deserved recognition
November 14, 2014
The Student Voice would like to take this opportunity to thank all veterans and active duty members of the military for their service in this great nation.
We would also like to recognize UW-River Falls' terrific effort in supporting and honoring veterans in the last couple of days. The university has made it a priority to make veterans feel welcome on our campus, but also to educate those unaware of the sacrifices veterans have made for our country.
Veterans Day was, of course, on Tuesday and hopefully students, faculty and staff paid their respects by attending one of the great events held here on campus.
A donation drive for deployed soldiers was held all week. Community members were asked to donate items such as beef jerky, cereal, dried fruit, body wash, cough drops, cotton balls, books and flashlights. The Veterans Services office, located in 220 South Hall, collected the donations.
Elsewhere, a breakfast was held in the University Center's Trimbelle River Room on Tuesday morning for students, faculty and staff who are veterans, and a ceremony followed near the flagpoles outside of North Hall. Sgt. 1st Class Harley Hotchkiss, an art major here at UWRF, spoke at the ceremony.
Even a bake sale was held mid-week in South Hall where "survival" bracelets and key chains were available for purchase.
On Thursday evening (when this issue hits shelves), Sgt. Andrew Rondeau, a horticulture major, will be speaking in the Kinni Theater about the challenges and rewards of farming and agriculture. His presentation, "Veteran and New Generation Farming," will focus on getting younger people involved in the farming industry.
It is pretty neat that this university even has a Veterans Services office where veterans can go for support and information. Any question imaginable can be answered in Veterans Services by the friendly and qualified staff. There is also a Veterans Club here on campus, which is an added bonus.
We hope that the many lives given by American military members will never be forgotten. Thankfully, this great university has put forth a tremendous effort in uniting veterans with a very grateful and proud UWRF community.