By: Teelia Lowery
Teelia Gooden / Army Veteran
Many veterans walk the university grounds every day wearing their badge of honor for serving their country, sadly, they go unnoticed.
On Veteran’s Day, Texas Southern University honored those who proudly served and sacrificed their lives for our country.
“As I look into the audience I see the reflection of who and what America is,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
TSU is just one of many universities across the country that observed Veterans Day.
It marked its' 14th Annual Veterans Day Celebration by honoring staff, faculty, and students who served in the Armed Forces.
Jackson Lee offered a message to those who unselfishly put on the uniform prior to attending a ceremony of a fallen veteran.
“I’m laying this groundwork because I think it is important that the military not be viewed as belonging to one community,” said Jackson Lee. “There are immigrants that have served in the United States military who not only put on the uniform but laid down their lives.”
Various veteran organizations at the event surrounded the side and back walls offering various booklets, trinkets, and takeaways for each attendee.
Rosalinda Ramirez from Christus Family Health Plan spoke briefly about its involvement in “Freedom Over Texas," the City of Houston's monumental tribute to patriotism.
“We will love for the TSU faculty, staff, and students to work along with us at the Freedom Over Texas,” said Ramirez.
From gaining health benefits to securing employment, veterans were able to leave the event with knowledgeable resources.
Former Army Veteran Andreaus Boise-Fontenot and director of University Career and Professional Development Center gives insight on what her department does for veterans.
“My job is to assist all students especially veterans [as] they are dear to my heart since I’m a US Army Veteran…” said Fontenot.
The event was filled with a plethora of veterans whose stories needed to be shared, regardless of how it would be told.
To illustrate such bravery, former U.S. Navy veteran Kenneth Morris, the keynote speaker shared his journey.
From being homeless on the Houston streets, the 5th Ward native shares how he overcame obstacles and became the aviator and mentor he is today.
“When I came home to Houston from the Navy I couldn’t find a job,” said Morris. “I was either overqualified for the security jobs or under-qualified for the manager jobs, so I became a homeless veteran.”
Like most veterans returning from their tour in the military, he found himself lost, searching for a better way.
“I was literally sleeping out of my car,” said Morris.
Pointing to the various organizations stationed in the back of the room Morris noted, “I was a homeless veteran and if it weren’t for you guys I would not be where I am at right now."
For this purpose, organizations like Service with Integrity, Work life Institute, Affordable Health Insurance Agency, CHRISTUS Family Health Plan, and TSU's Division of Student Services were ready to help more veterans as they helped Morris.
Mayor Sylvester Turner and The City of Houston made November 12th, 2018 an Annual Veterans Day at TSU to continue to honor the overlooked veterans on campus.
Commenti