Ceremonial raising of the United States flag in honor of Veterans Day, November 11, 2014. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day which commemorated the end of World War I. World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, the fighting ended about seven months before that when the Allies and Germany put into effect an armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, was largely considered the end of “the war to end all wars” and dubbed Armistice Day. In 1926, Congress officially recognized it as the end of the war, and in 1938, it became an official holiday, primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I.
The purpose of Veterans Services is to provide comprehensive assistance and support to all Salt Lake Community College service members, veterans and dependents as individuals complete their educational goals. Since 1948, Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) has been a proud supporter of those who have served in all branches of the U.S. Military. In 1948, the Salt Lake Area Vocational School, now known as Salt Lake Community College, opened its doors and began serving and training veterans returning from WWII desiring to utilize their new education benefit called, the Montgomery GI BILL. The first 145 students were veterans, and by the second semester, 589 military students were using their VA educational benefits for their education. Today, over 1,100 veterans/dependents attend SLCC each semester. The main Veterans Center is located on the Taylorsville Redwood Campus in the Student Center, room 059. Also located on the South City Campus. There is an outreach specialist that will meet with Veteran Students on other campuses as well.
Salt Lake Community College Veterans Services conducts an annual Valentines for Veterans program to deliver greetings and treats to veterans and active duty service members all over the world. “It is a small way that we can reach out and let our military men and women know we care,” says Veterans Services specialist Diane Bates. For several years, Veterans Services has teamed up with the non-profit group “Angels in Action,” as well as local schools and churches to hand make valentines and treats for delivery to vets at the VA hospitals, VA nursing homes and VA homeless shelters. Deployed service members also receive valentines from the group. For a dollar donation, students and faculty can write a personal valentine message or purchase a pre-made “Angels in Action” valentine at booths in various locations on the SLCC campuses.
