Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, November 18, 2024
CAMERON UNIVERSITY'S
Volume 111 Issue 8
VETERAN'S DAY Hannah Owens Managing Editor
From Nov. 4 to Nov. 11 Cameron University held a series of events in celebration of Veterans Day. At 1 p.m. on Nov. 11 in Veteran’s Grove a formal ceremony took place honoring active-duty and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Located near Howell Hall, attendence included the Lawton Fort Sill publics, veterans and military personnel from various branches of the Armed Forces. Following a rendition of the national anthem by CU student Grace Norbury, attendees observed a moment of silence to honor those who have served the nation in uniform. The observance featured a keynote address by Col. Reginald D. White, Commander of the 434th Field Artillery Brigade. White spoke about the significance of Veterans Day, reflecting on his extensive career in the U.S. Army, which began with his enrollment in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1994. Throughout his speech, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by veterans and active-duty service members. White’s remarks were complemented by a performance from the Cameron University Concert Band, directed by Andrey Cruz, which set a respectful and patriotic tone for the event. The
ceremony concluded with the playing of “Taps” by Cameron junior music major Owen Ellis. Earlier in the day, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., activeduty military members and veterans were treated to a complimentary meal in Shepler Cafeteria, a gesture of gratitude from the university to those who have served. The meal allowed veterans and service members to connect with one another and share stories of their service while enjoying a warm meal provided by the campus dining team. In addition to the Veterans Day observance, Cameron University hosted Vet Fest, a two-day event on Nov. 6 — 7, designed to celebrate military culture and offer resources to veterans, service members and their families. Organized by the Office of Veterans Affairs, Vet Fest featured presentations, military displays and career resources aimed at supporting veterans in their post-military lives. On Nov. 6, visitors were treated to an impressive display of military equipment, including Fort Sill’s salute howitzer, the French 75 cannon, and Cameron’s own Big Ollie. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with Fort Sill’s mascots, Big Deuce the donkey and Shortround the goat, and explore robotics demonstrations from the 761st Ordnance Company. Director of Veteran Affairs Vickie Henson plans the event every year and is always looking to include the community in the events. "We invite the campus family to come join and the general public come join for the firing and the kickoff too," Henson said. "I try to incorporate many different aspects as possible, a little bit of just plain fun stuff and then some stuff that's more serious but that's helpful." Vet Fest also included a series of informative talks.
What’s Inside
James “Jay” Bynum, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, began the presentations with a discussion on current events affecting Oklahoma veterans. Other speakers, such as NoKeitha Winterbower from Military OneSource and Carry Metkowski, a Forbes Coach Council member, provided valuable insights into resources available for veterans and strategies for professional growth. On Nov. 7, the festival continued with presentations by local historians and workforce experts. Mark Megehee discussed famous personalities and places from Fort Sill, while historian Amy Ward took a deeper look at the evolution of medical practices from the American Revolution to modern times. Thomas Morland from the Lawton Workforce Center shared information about veteran employment programs, and David Perry from the Muskogee VA Regional Office gave an in-depth overview of the federal hiring process. The Veterans Affairs Office also hosted a resource fair during Vet Fest, offering veterans and their families critical information about benefits available to them, including healthcare, education and career resources. The Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs played a key role in providing guidance to veterans and their dependents about accessing these benefits and maximizing the support available to them through government programs. Angela Hardin highlighted the importance of spreading their information to the community. "We are actually working to try and pinpoint and reach all of those veterans that don't understand that they do have benefits coming their way," Hardin said. The resource fair emphasized Cameron University’s ongoing commitment to supporting its military-affiliated students and community members, ensuring that veterans and their families have the tools they need to thrive in both academic and professional environments. For further inquiries, reach out to the Cameron Veteran Affairs office at va@cameron.edu.
Photo by Hannah Owens
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