College Invites Veterans to Lunch Wednesday

For the fourth year in a row, the Student Veterans Association at Seward County Community College/Area Technical School invites local and area vets to come for lunch on campus Wednesday. The event, set to begin at noon in the Student Union, will feature guest speaker retired Sergeant Major Ivanhoe Love Jr., musical performances from the SCCC/ATS vocal department, and a free meal for veterans and their families.

�??We want to make this a special day for our veterans,�?� said SVA sponsor Chris Hickman. �??We try to observe all the patriotic days we can. This is the first day of choice.�?�

Hickman says the club serves a unique role.

�??From the college�??s point of view, our goal is to be a resource to veterans who might feel they don�??t yet fit into the traditional groups like American Legion or VFW, even though our local organizations are wonderful and active,�?� he said. �??Sometimes these newer veterans feel a little disconnected.�?�

Hickman said SVA was started by former vo-tech director Ed Poley �??because we saw a need for something to fill the gap for younger veterans who weren�??t sure what to do next.�?�

As part of a national organization, SVA in Liberal provides a network that students can access if they choose to transfer to a four-year college or university after completing an Associate degree at Seward. It also provides a local group of veteran mentors, including SCCC/ATS employees Hickman, Bert and Ruthie Luallen, Luis Vela, and David Hormig.

�??We�??ve all been there, in the service, and we enjoy creating that sense of camaraderie with students,�?� said Hickman.

This year�??s luncheon looks to be a high point, he added.

�??Our guest speaker is Ivanhoe Love, Jr., command sergeant major who grew up here in Liberal,�?� he said. �??He served 28 years, and has a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars and other meritorious service awards. We�??re looking forward to hearing what he has to say.�?�

The luncheon is open to all local and area veterans and their families, free of charge. To RSVP, call Hickman at 620-417-1679, or via email at [email protected].