STEVENS POINT (WAOW) -
Celebration of our veterans continues Monday, and an
annual veterans remembrance event at UW-Stevens Point was even more emotional
this year.
UWSP officials say they are mourning the loss of two
students just back from serving their country.
"It's something you're not ever going to really get over –
ever," said Ann Whipp, UWSP Veterans Coordinator.
"Personally, I don't know those two that have passed
away, but it's always good to know that we're thinking about others past,
future, and present," said Cadet Matt Rausch, UWSP ROTC.
UWSP Chancellor Bernie Patterson says it's important to
take the time to recognize veterans.
"They have paid a huge sacrifice, not only the veterans
and active military, but their families as well – their spouses and their children,"
said Patterson.
UWSP was ranked as one of the 2013 Most Military Friendly
Schools by GI Jobs.
"That's not by accident. We try to make a deliberate
effort to be military friendly, veteran friendly," said Patterson.
And students are noticing the effort the University puts
in.
"I've been to other schools before I came to UWSP and
there was no big deal about veterans and honoring them and stuff like that,"
said Rausch.
UWSP has a dedicated Veterans Coordinator to help
veterans transition back to civilian life. She says veterans add a lot to the
campus community.
"They're helping faculty, staff and other students just
become more aware of what military service is about and the aftermath," said
Whipp.
University officials are glad to take the time to thank
veterans for their sacrifice.
About 85 people were in attendance for Monday's veterans
remembrance event.
