CSC Veterans Day ceremony includes announcement of local VFW endowed scholarship

Retired Lt. Col. Jon Hansen spoke about the value of those who have served our country.

"These are our nation’s true heroes, quiet and unsung.  The debt that we owe our nation's veterans can never truly be repaid and so we offer a simple thank you for the freedom you have provided,” he said.

Hansen mentioned that Chadron State College has received several honors over the past few years recognizing the efforts which make the campus veteran-friendly. Today, CSC made the Military Times, Edge magazine list of 120 Best Colleges for Vets for the fourth year in a row.

The Dawes County Veterans of Foreign Wars – Gray Eagle Post 1375 announced in a news release read by Hansen that they have created an endowed scholarship with the Chadron State Foundation.

This is the first veteran-specific scholarship for CSC students. A press release from the VFW post stated that the gift is designed to grow as additional donations are added to it.

Community members are encouraged by the VFW to contribute to this returning veteran assistance effort. In 2014, the first student will receive an award from the earnings on the principal. Annual awards will be made to a veteran who has served on foreign soil.

Students of Dr. David Nesheim's Introduction to Cultural Anthropology class attended the event and asked the active duty, ROTC and veterans a series of questions as part of a class assignment.

"It so happened that this event coincided with 'translate an event' on my syllabus today. It's all about field work, so I try to simulate that experience for the students whenever I can," Nesheim said.

His students conducted individual ethnography earlier in the semester and this event provided the opportunity for team enthography. The class members will each write a 300 word summary of the Veterans Day event and the questions they asked the military active duty and veterans in attendance.

Nesheim will then lead a group discussion based on the written summaries and ask his students to further reflect of the experience.

See related story about a CSC conference on veterans and PTSD.