Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and former Staff Sergeant Nathan Hall vividly remembers the blazing hot weather of Iraq as he recalls his two completed tours during tenure in the South Dakota Army National Guard.
Hall, a junior in the Beacom School of Business, said celebrating Veteran’s Day is important, regardless of opinions, political ideology and world issues.
“You can have a lot of political opinions about believing in war, but it’s a necessary evil,” Hall said. “It takes a great amount of sacrifice to serve in the military, regardless of individual opinions. It’s a public service, and it’s a pretty important one.”
Veteran’s Day, celebrated every year on Nov. 11, honors military men and women and their sacrifices to the protection and freedom of the United States. Each year, the USD Student Veteran’s Club reaches out to the community through various events. Last Wednesday, the club held the fifth annual community supper, providing a free meal to veterans and their families, said club president LeighAnn Dunn.
Master of Ceremonies Sergeant Scott Krantz, Iraqi Freedom Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, led the event, beginning with the presentation of the colors by the USD ROTC. The Oyate Native American Drum group, led by USD professor Wayne Evans, performed the Flag Song, Honor Song and Lakota Prayer. Dunn, a first-year graduate student and South Dakota Army National Guard veteran was pleased with this year’s turnout.
“It’s important because it gives us younger veterans the opportunity to connect with the older veterans, and it brings everyone together,” Dunn said.
Yankton resident Joan Schilb has recently taken a new look at Veteran’s Day. Her husband is in the South Dakota Army National Guard and is currently deployed in his second tour.
“I looked nonchalantly at Veteran’s Day until it affected me personally,” Schilb said. “I look at it differently now. They deserve a day where we say thanks and show respect for their families and those that have fallen.”
Joe Conroy is a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Conroy encouraged younger veterans to take advantage of the programs available to help them readjust when they return.
“Events like these are important so people don’t forget,” Conroy said.
The student club is a resource for returning veterans to help integrate them back into society and college life and helps bring together the younger and the older veterans, Dunn said.
“It’s hard to adjust back to this society when a soldier comes back,” Dunn said. “We help vets cope and build that social community.”
Operation Iraqi Freedom South Dakota Army National Guard veteran Craig Evenson has served one tour so far and said the camaraderie among the soldiers is an important aspect of being in combat, and the bonds created are like the bonds of brotherhood.
“You realize how important the guys you work with are and how close you become,” Evenson said. “You know that you would drop your own life for them in a second.”
Readjusting to society after returning home can be very difficult; and something the Student Veteran’s Club helps with, Dunn said. Evenson had difficulties adjusting the way he operated in everyday settings when he returned home.
“You become used to operating in one mode and are expected to immediately operate how you used to when you return,” Evenson said. “It’s not easy to switch things on and off right away.”
Hall also faced integration issues when returning home from his tours in Iraq. The hardest part was adjusting to the difference in cultures. Iraq is a Third-World country and the issues they face are basic necessities including food, water and shelter. Back in the United States, people don’t realize how good they have it, Hall said.
“It’s hard to adjust in the respect of where your priorities are,” Hall said. “It was difficult to organize the different priorities in my head.”
Dunn said the Student Veteran’s Club is a crucial help to returning veterans to make sure they are comfortable coming back to an academic setting. The club has resources that help make the adjustment easier.
The Veteran’s Club is not the only organization honoring veterans this year, Dunn said. The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold a Veteran’s Day program today at 10 a.m. in the W.H. Over Museum. On Veteran’s Day, HyVee, Applebee’s and Golden Corral restaurants will be serving free food for veterans, Dunn said. The Operation Free Press event will be held Wednesday Dec. 9 in the MUC Ballroom, and the club is also preparing a Speech and Hearing Fair to offer free hearing checks and screens.
Veteran’s Day is not about supporting politics, but about life and death, Evanson said. Soldiers are offering their services to this country, and it’s a life-changing event, he added.
“There is no right and left wing in combat,” Evanson said. “You are a brotherhood trying to survive in a situation that’s often disgusting.”
Reach reporter Josie Clarey at Josie.Clarey@usd.edu.
1 comments