Click here to see my original published article: https://lakelanderonline.com/2023/11/02/fall-2023-issue-2/
The Lakelander | Fall 2023 | Issue 2
The New and Improved Veterans Center
By: Emily Eade
After being tucked away in the E building, where most people didn’t know it existed, the new and approved Veterans Center has been relocated to a more populated area above Breakers! This center is focused on supporting veterans to make sure they have a safe and healthy place to go.
Now you may have a few questions involving the Veterans Center:
Who runs and coordinates the center and what do they do to help?
The veterans center is run by manager, S. Rhonda Osagie-Eres. Her mission is to help veterans transition from the military world to civilian culture, and to help civilians help military culture. Her end goal is to inspire and connect with the Veterans Center and give them connections to other veteran organizations or groups for when they leave Lakeland.
“So they can continue on their journey and have that veteran support.” - Rhonda Osagie-Eres
While interviewing Rhonda Osagie-Eres, I asked these questions to keep you, the reader informed.
What are the requirements to become a member of the Student Veterans Organization and are there any benefits?
Like any club, you have to have at least three credit hours in order to join. Most importantly, to join this organization is to be an advocate or an ally of veterans or military families. The benefits consist of a place where you belong and can confide in someone, and express yourself without being judged.
Are there any foundations, organizations, or ways where people can donate where the proceeds will go to the veterans center?
When it comes to the Veterans Center here at Lakeland Community College, the ways to help are by donating through the Lakeland Foundation, or when the SVA (student club), do their own stuff, they have bake sales, militia shows in march (some of the money goes to scholarships for the veterans and other things), anything with the student veterans group.
Even if you don’t donate to student veterans here there are so many great organizations you can donate to, to help keep running for the future of these veterans. Some local veteran organizations are; the Paralyzed American Veterans Association, American Legions, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Team Red, White, and Blue. Anything you can do to help the veteran community helps the veterans here.
Are there any upcoming events in support of veterans?
Upcoming events:
October 26th, there will be a BBQ which is alongside the Lake Student Government in the HIVE. When they are doing their Halloween party, the BBQ will be outside. Food should be ready around 3 and a movie around 7.
November 7th, from 11 to 3, Veterans Day Ceremony where we will be focusing on female veterans. This is the 75th official year of female veterans in the military. It is celebrating HERstory.
November 14th, we’re doing gamers' night, any gamers that want to come out and join come on.
November 28th, Military Appreciation Night Basketball game.
When asked these next two questions, Rhonda Osagie-Eres answered with a personal response.
What are some of your favorite things about having this center?
“The people. The students, I get to hear the different stories from all the different places they’ve been, the different experiences. I get to hear about the Air Force guy, the Coast Guard guy, the Navy person, the female Marine. Every now and again I get the faculty or staff member who tells me they were in the military. We have about 100 faculty and staff who are, either are or have served in the military either in the reserves or active duty. It’s always interesting to hear those stories, we all have different minds, but we all have the same chapter of having been in the military. Lakeland has really given wings to touch with the greater veteran community. It broadens the stories, the military, veteran generation knowledge that I know. So I know World War 2 vets, Korean war vets, Vietnam vets, Persian Gulf War vets, Iraq/Afghanistan vets.”
Is there anything else you want to involve in this article?
“I would like to thank the instructors, all the staff, and all the faculty that have helped each and every one of my veterans. I ask many of the faculty if you know someone in your class who is a veteran and you don’t see them in class for a while or if their behavior changes drastically please give me a call so I can reach out to them. I think it’s important. I want to thank all the instructors and faculty who are allies of veterans. Ask the students in the class if anyone here is a veteran and inform them that there is a veterans center for anyone who is a veteran. Some people don’t like to showcase their veteran status. Sometimes it’s hard, but there is a veterans center here to support them. People at the Veterans Center understand that perspective of being intense and wanting to get the right answer and to please the instructor, the civilian world just doesn't operate that way.”
Through this interview with Rhonda Osagie-Eres, I learned that the Veterans Center is more than just a room above Breakers for Veterans. It is much deeper than that, it's a community of real people who connect through their hardships. For the veterans who don’t know about the center, please check it out, and take advantage of the resources, and relationships you can gain.