WCC celebrated Veterans Day with a breakfast to honor veteran students, employees, their families, and students who have family members who are veterans.
“We certainly thank all veterans for your service, and to our students we appreciate you allowing WCC to be a part of your educational journey,” WCC President Dean Sprinkle said during the breakfast held on campus Thursday, Nov. 9. “We thought it was important to have this event as a way to show our appreciation for your service and recognize those who served, as well as those who have family joining us today.”
WCC student Jeremy Bond, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, brought along his husband, Johnny Bond, who also served in the Marines. Jeremy Bond, who is studying sociology and biology, said his time in the Marines taught him effective time management, which helps him navigate his WCC classes.
WCC employs seven veterans, including Michael Woods, who works with the college’s Veterans of Upward Bound Program. Woods serves as a resource for veterans, helping them with everything from tutoring to navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
“If a veteran needs help, I’ll talk to them,” said Woods, who served more than 20 years in different military services.
Another WCC employee veteran is Criminal Justice/Corrections Science Associate Professor and Program Head Jim Harrington. His military service began in 1982, when he joined the U.S. Air Force right after high school.
Harrington said that his military career helped him greatly with his WCC career. “I obtained credits while in service through the Community College of the Air Force which helped me to obtain my Associated Degree in Police Science in 1996. My service also taught me self-discipline to study and achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a professor at WCC,” he said.
The official observation of Veterans’ Day is Saturday, Nov. 11. The holiday was originally observed as Armistice Day, recognizing the end of fighting between the Allied nations and Germany, which occurred on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. It was a day dedicated to the cause of world peace and a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I. In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to recognize veterans who had served in all wars.
“Today, Veterans Day honors America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good,” Sprinkle said.
“As we take this time to honor our Veterans, let’s pause and reflect on the sacrifices that these individuals and their families have made in service to their country,” he added. “We appreciate all of you. Thank you again for your service.”
WCC has numerous programs to help veterans and their family members obtain a college degree. For information, please contact School Certifying Official Lisa Murrell at 276-223-4706, or lmurrell@wcc.vccs.edu
Also, you can visit the WCC military and veterans page on the WCC website, which has the necessary information for initiating educational benefits, information on available benefits and contact information for various services. The website address is https://www.wcc.vccs.edu/military-and-veteran-benefits
###
Pictured: Nicole Brooks, Jim Harrington, Mike Sobey, Krista Burnette, & Steve Burnette enjoy the Veterans Day breakfast at WCC.
Jeremy Bond and Johnny Bond