Vets honored through open forum
11/12/09
By Laura Podgornik
Staff Writer
The University of Wisconsin-Superior honored veterans on Wednesday with an open forum in the Rothwell Student Center entitled “Ask a Vet on Veterans Day.”
Along with the attendance of many veterans, Wisconsin State Representative and Navy veteran Nick Milroy graced the audience with his presence.
As a graduate of UWS, Milroy said he feels that he can relate to the four panelists that spoke at the event.
“This is a great opportunity to talk with students and to honor veterans,” said Milroy. “A lot of people take the service of others for granted and veterans don’t always get the recognition they deserve.”
Panelist Jeremy Bates helped organize the event and is currently the co-chair of the UWS Vets Club. Bates hopes to expand UWS’s recognition of veterans.
“I have three initiatives I hope to accomplish,” said Bates. “I would like to start VA work studies. I also hope to open a veterans resource center where veterans can learn of the benefits they may receive. And finally, I’d like to have a full-time UWS staff member dedicated to serving vets.”
Bates has been a member of the Army National Guard for twelve years and is considering enlisting for another eight year term.
“It’s a tough decision for me to make,” said Bates. “I would be able to retire once it’s complete since I’d have twenty years of experience, but I’d also have a strong chance of being deployed again and I’d be away from my family again.”
Bates is a resident of Oulu, WI where he shares a home with his wife and three daughters.
Representative Milroy also commented on the fact that student service members are now receiving 100% tuition reimbursement.
Panelist Julie Johnson was intrigued by that aspect, but she also enlisted for other reasons.
“I was born and raised in Germany, and I came to the United States four years ago,” said Johnson. “When I was looking into college, I was told that I could be a part of this program, and it wasn’t a hard decision to make.”
Johnson was offered her United States citizenship as part of her enlistment.
“That was so great because I knew I wanted to stay in the United States,” she said.
Johnson has yet to experience deployment but was informed she will be deployed in the near future. All three other panelists have already experienced deployment overseas.
Student panelist Aimee Bandelin said she was thankful that she was able to continue communication with her family and even her UWS advisor overseas.
“The transition back into civilian life was so much easier because I made every attempt to contact people in my life while away,” said Bandelin.
Bandelin also thanked staff member Dee Clark for her continued efforts to help her and other veterans.
Panelist Kevin Anderson told the audience that the best way students can honor veterans and those who’ve served is to, “Be understanding. Everyone has a different opinion of war, but you have to think about these individuals on a personal level and what they’ve been through.”
Along with the attendance of many veterans, Wisconsin State Representative and Navy veteran Nick Milroy graced the audience with his presence.
As a graduate of UWS, Milroy said he feels that he can relate to the four panelists that spoke at the event.
“This is a great opportunity to talk with students and to honor veterans,” said Milroy. “A lot of people take the service of others for granted and veterans don’t always get the recognition they deserve.”
Panelist Jeremy Bates helped organize the event and is currently the co-chair of the UWS Vets Club. Bates hopes to expand UWS’s recognition of veterans.
“I have three initiatives I hope to accomplish,” said Bates. “I would like to start VA work studies. I also hope to open a veterans resource center where veterans can learn of the benefits they may receive. And finally, I’d like to have a full-time UWS staff member dedicated to serving vets.”
Bates has been a member of the Army National Guard for twelve years and is considering enlisting for another eight year term.
“It’s a tough decision for me to make,” said Bates. “I would be able to retire once it’s complete since I’d have twenty years of experience, but I’d also have a strong chance of being deployed again and I’d be away from my family again.”
Bates is a resident of Oulu, WI where he shares a home with his wife and three daughters.
Representative Milroy also commented on the fact that student service members are now receiving 100% tuition reimbursement.
Panelist Julie Johnson was intrigued by that aspect, but she also enlisted for other reasons.
“I was born and raised in Germany, and I came to the United States four years ago,” said Johnson. “When I was looking into college, I was told that I could be a part of this program, and it wasn’t a hard decision to make.”
Johnson was offered her United States citizenship as part of her enlistment.
“That was so great because I knew I wanted to stay in the United States,” she said.
Johnson has yet to experience deployment but was informed she will be deployed in the near future. All three other panelists have already experienced deployment overseas.
Student panelist Aimee Bandelin said she was thankful that she was able to continue communication with her family and even her UWS advisor overseas.
“The transition back into civilian life was so much easier because I made every attempt to contact people in my life while away,” said Bandelin.
Bandelin also thanked staff member Dee Clark for her continued efforts to help her and other veterans.
Panelist Kevin Anderson told the audience that the best way students can honor veterans and those who’ve served is to, “Be understanding. Everyone has a different opinion of war, but you have to think about these individuals on a personal level and what they’ve been through.”
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