Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Paris Junior College will hold its annual remembrance at the DeShong Chapel, including a performance of “America the Beautiful” by the PJC chamber singers, followed by a wreath-laying at the PJC Veterans Memorial outside and the playing of taps.
Also involved with the ceremony is the new Student Veterans Organization. The group is open to veterans, their family members and anyone wishing to support them. The group is located in Paris, Greenville and Sulphur Springs.
“We started the Veterans Organization to promote fellowship and camaraderie between those who were in a military service,” said Jennifer Smith, veteran’s specialist and staff advisor in Paris. “The group is also open to any student who would like to join. Prior military service is not required. We want to encourage anyone who supports military service members to feel free to join.”
This organization will help student veterans learn about veteran’s benefits as well as available academic scholarships. The student veterans will participate in community service projects this semester such as Toys for Tots.
“They share a common experience that the civilian population doesn’t understand,” said Smith. “We want to assist military veterans and their families in achieving their educational goals and provide assistance in the transition process by sharing information on academic success and educational benefits. We hope to provide an atmosphere of camaraderie for students with a military affiliation.”
Currently some 200 students are using some type of military benefits at Paris Junior College. The new group will assist these students in their educational goals.
Group meetings are held in ITV rooms that allow members from different locations to see each other.
For information about the group, contact Jennifer Smith veterans@parisjc.edu, or faculty advisor Allen Williams at awilliams@parisjc.edu.
Pictured: Shown from left at a recent meeting of the new Student Veterans Organization at Paris Junior College, advisors Jennifer Smith and Allen Williams explain the purpose of the organization to new members Bryan Woods, Lisa Dawes, and Robert Edwards.