Browsing: Veterans of Baylor

“What we try to do is foster a community,” Milian said. “We’re trying to bridge that generational gap between us and the traditional students because there is a big age gap. So we’re trying to do events … and foster that sense of community. Most of us are used to being a part of a team, so it’s a way to still be a part of a team and still have that camaraderie outside of being in the military.”

At a magnitude not reached in recent years, Baylor will honor those who have served in the military with a Veterans Day ceremony. From 5 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Bill Daniel Student Center Bowl, the Baylor and Waco community will come together to pay homage and learn about veterans’ service.

The ceremony, sponsored by Veterans of Baylor, Veteran Education & Transition Services (VETS), and Baylor Army & Air Force ROTC, is intended to explain what Veterans Day is, how it came to be and why it is important, said Seattle junior Bryan Solis, public affairs officer for Veterans of Baylor and Marine Corps veteran. The event is free and open to the public.

Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC and Veterans of Baylor will host a Veterans Day vigil at 11:30 a.m. today on Fountain Mall.

The ceremony will begin with an address from former United States Army veteran Dr. Curt Nichols, who is a West Point graduate and a political science professor at Baylor. The ceremony will continue with a presentation of the colors and flag-folding ceremony. “We want people to realize Veterans Day still happens every year, and understand that we have lost 2 million soldiers since 1917, which most people don’t realize,” Sherman senior Rachael Harrelson said. “Currently there are 430,000 in service members.” Harrelson served in the Navy for eight years.

From the battlefield to Baylor, some students are transitioning from military life to a life of academia.

To help with the transition to college life, the Veteran Educational and Transition Services (VETS) Center is available this year to help student veterans reach their academic goals.