Texas A&M To Honor Veterans Nov. 11

Long-recognized for its historic military traditions, Texas A&M University will observe Veterans Day with several events that honor Aggie veterans and current military personnel who have served their country.

USA Today and other publications have cited Texas A&M as “the best institution in the country for providing services to veterans transitioning into civil service careers following their military service,” and the school is currently ranked No.1 in the nation for its best value to veterans.

The Veterans Resource Service Center (VRSC), established in 2012, along with the Veteran Services Office, serves 1,238 enrolled veterans.

“Tied to our deep military roots, Veteran’s Day holds special significance in Aggieland,” said Col. Gerald “Jerry” Smith ’82 USMC (Ret.), director of the VRSC at Texas A&M. “Many campuses across the country work hard to be ‘Veteran Friendly.’ But for Aggies, recognizing and understanding the sacrifice and service of our veterans is not something we should do – it is who we are. At the intersection of our heritage, our core values, and our vision, we find a foundational Aggie principle: we serve well those who have served.”

McDonald’s will provide lunch in the VRSC on Wednesday beginning at 11:30 a.m. Box lunches will be provided to the first 30, but arrangements have been made to stagger the participation to follow  COVID-19 safety protocols, followed by a presentation by the Bryan High School ROTC program via Zoom at 1 p.m.

Also, the Texas A&M chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA) and Team Red, White & Blue will host a Veterans Day Dinner Social at Smitty K’s in College Station from 6 to 9 p.m.  Wearing a mask and practicing social distancing is required.

“We are very proud of our longstanding history of serving those who have served our nation in times of war and peace,” said Texas A&M President Michael K. Young. “In less than a decade, we have doubled our number of student veterans to more than 1,200, and we are pleased that over 2,800 family members of veterans are currently enrolled at Texas A&M. For the sacrifices they have made and the price they have paid, we honor their selfless service on Veterans Day and every day.”

Texas A&M has served student veterans since 1919, and is a national leader in providing support for its military-affiliated students, including veterans, active-duty service members, military dependents and survivors. The university has eight Medal of Honor recipients among its former students.

According to Ashley Drake, student development specialist in the Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center, part of the Division of Student Affairs, student veterans may receive various Veteran’s Administration or state veteran education benefits, which depend on several factors, such as enrollment and eligibility status.

“For those that are eligible, benefits range from several hundred dollars a month to 100 percent of tuition and fees plus a housing stipend,” she said. “Each individual’s service determines what he or she is eligible for and receives.”

The VSO and VRSC work in tandem to provide quality services and programs to military-affiliated students and to ensure that Texas A&M sustains its veteran inclusiveness, Drake said. The Texas A&M Veteran Services Office, part of Scholarships & Financial Aid, helps veterans and their dependents maximize their college funding. In addition to processing education benefits, the VSO administers scholarships specifically for veterans and dependents.

Drake said the average age for an Aggie student veteran is about 33 years old, and about 50 percent are married or support families.

About 70 percent of them have combat experience, and the average length of military service is five years. Most undergraduate Aggie veterans are enrolled in the colleges of Engineering and Agriculture and Life Sciences. Most graduate students are enrolled in the Bush School of Government and Public Service, the Mays Business School or the College of Engineering.

Current Aggie veterans continue to make sacrifices for Texas, the nation and world: Texas A&M has had 30 current veterans activated for relief efforts related to COVID-19. In 2017, more than 90 were activated for Hurricane Harvey support.