A safe haven for veterans

Veterans Day (SOURCE: http://themelononline.com/)The Veteran’s Club is a new club on campus that is on a mission to bring together veterans who attend Bellevue College.

The club was formed last year, but momentarily disbanded after a few key members transferred to different universities.

Student and veteran Andrew Baker and Public Safety Director and veteran Maggie Whetsel came together and revived the club this year. 

To Andrew Baker, current president of the club, they’re “answering the call of necessity.” This club isn’t just something that will look good on his resume, but also something very much needed for the veterans who attend BC.

The club is a place for veterans to come together and connect with people who have had similar experiences and who have gone through the same things.

One can’t even imagine the transition some of these soldiers go through from being in the Middle East to coming back home to a whole different world. “You no longer have that camaraderie you’re used to having,” said Baker.

This club is about restoring that camaraderie for the veterans of BC and giving them a more comfortable experience.

It doesn’t have to be overwhelming returning to school after such a long time and the veterans are given a chance to connect and receive support from the club.

Members meet every Wednesday to share their knowledge of the GI Bill benefits they can take advantage of as veterans.

They help each other in any way they can, whether it’s homework or just talking about things that aren’t so easy to talk about with people who haven’t seen what they’ve seen or gone through what they’ve gone through.

Throughout our country many different remembrance ceremonies will be taking place.

The symbol  that represents Veteran’s  Day is the poppy. The poppy is worn directly over your heart.

The poppiy’s significance to Veteran’s Day is a result of Canadian military physician John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Fields.”

The poppy emblem was chosen because of the poppies that bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their red color an appropriate symbol for the bloodshed of trench warfare.

 Here at Bellevue College, in an effort to get the word out about their club and attract new members, there are a few events on the horizon for this club.

This Veteran’s Day, all veterans and their family members are invited to a potluck lunch put on by the faculty and staff of BC. Everyone is encouraged to wear red or their uniform and join in the ceremony and lunch at 12:30 pm by the flagpole.

The club is also in the process of creating a scholarship in the name of a fallen soldier who attended BC. Several fundraisers are planned as well as a park clean up to bring veterans and families together. The club isn’t just for veterans but also for supporters and families.

The Veteran’s Club is a good opportunity for veterans and supporters to come together and get the help and support they need to have a fulfilling experience at Bellevue College.