Honoring our veterans … and serving them

In just a few days, America will pause to honor those who have devoted a portion of their lives to defend our country’s freedom. Cameron University will be part of that observance.

Cameron has a very long history of supporting our military, going all the way back to our early years as an agricultural high school. Back then, a number of our students paused their education plans and enlisted to fight during World War I. Not only did Aggies defend our country then, they did so in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars and many other conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

Not all of our students returned home in the same condition as when they left campus. Some came home broken — and an honor guard accompanied far too many of them.

Three Aggies have been awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism. At least three more were presented the Distinguished Service Cross or the Distinguished Flying Cross. Dozens and dozens more received Purple Hearts during the course of their service.

Now, Cameron University is honored to be designated as a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. It is an honor reserved for those institutions who have developed purposeful approaches to supporting the military-affiliated population … as well as for those who have sacrificed their bodies in the defense of this nation.

CU is the latest in a group of regional entities to be recognized with the Purple Heart designation. Lawton, Altus and Medicine Park have Purple Heart status, as does Stephens County government and Southwestern Medical Center.

Cameron’s designation will be officially recognized during this year’s Veterans Day observance that will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in Veterans Grove on the northern edge of our campus. Col. Michael Stewart, Commander of the 434th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Sill, will deliver the Veterans Day address at the ceremony, which is open to the public. I highly encourage you to join us for this event — especially if you are a veteran — so that we may provide the recognition you so richly deserve.

The Nov. 10 ceremony is just the culmination of a week of activities to highlight our relationship with the military. On Nov. 6-7, we will stage “Vet Fest,” a celebration of all things military. There will be outdoor displays and several educational presentations involving the military. Simultaneously, we will present our annual Veterans Resource Fair in the McMahon Centennial Complex. Nearly two dozen state and local organizations will be on campus as we provide information about benefits that are available for veterans. There will be information on readjustment counseling for soldiers as they transition to civilian life, claims assistance, and CU staff who will present information on academic and non-academic support.

Several thousand American flags will be posted throughout the campus that week in remembrance of veterans, and we will provide complimentary meals to active duty military, guard and reserve members, and veterans on that Friday immediately before our Veterans Day ceremony.

Earlier, I mentioned Cameron’s legacy of aiding and supporting the U.S. Army. We established a Reserve Officer Training Program in 1951, an effort that has graduated thousands of cadets over more than 70 years. Cameron is proud to have produced 19 general officers in the military, and provided leadership training for hundreds of new officers.

We commit to provide educational opportunities for today’s military and the behind-the-scenes support to help them be successful. We have tutoring, academic and career advising, counseling and assistance in applying for financial aid and veterans benefits … not just during our annual resource fair, but year round. We have an on campus Veterans Affairs office to assist veterans. Additional services include a VetSuccess campus counselor, scholarship opportunities, career support, a VA work-study program, focus groups to assist in improving VA educational benefit offerings, an active Student Veterans of America chapter, military-related service projects, and social events.

Members of the military — and their families — are considered Oklahoma residents while they are stationed here, so they are eligible for in-state tuition. In short, they are one of us, and we treat them as such. Families sacrifice much in support of their service member, so spouses and their children are just as important to us. Their challenges are unique, so we provide support and scholarships to give them access to affordable higher education.

“Best for Vets: Colleges” ranks Cameron University as Oklahoma’s top university because of the many services and opportunities we offer veterans, service members and their families. We are also certified as a Yellow Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and are designated a “Military Friendly” institution.

These designations are greatly appreciated by all of us at the university, but our accomplishments are nothing compared to those in the military — and connected to it — because of their commitment to serving and protecting all of us.

Be sure and thank a veteran this month.

John McArthur is president of Cameron University in Lawton.