UAMS Celebrates Veterans with Luncheon, Care Packages
| Dozens of veterans and active duty members representing all five major branches of the U.S. Armed Forces — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard — attended a luncheon as part of a month of ongoing events to celebrate employees and students at UAMS who serve.
UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, speaks during the celebration.
“Today we honor our UAMS employees and students who are veterans or are currently serving in the military for the sacrifices they have made to ensure we enjoy the many freedoms of our great nation. We also thank their spouses, families and other loved ones who have supported our veterans through their service,” said UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA. “We at UAMS want to make sure our veterans know how much we appreciate their service. We can never truly thank you enough.”
The luncheon, organized by the Veterans Awareness Committee of the UAMS Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, opened with a flag ceremony and color guard presentation by four veterans, all now members of the UAMS Police Department. It featured guest speaker Col. Jeffrey Wood, J.D., MBA, state judge advocate for the Arkansas Army National Guard, who spoke on the common bonds of service, such as sacrifices made and friendships formed.
“We have stories of battle and heroism,” said Wood to the crowd of veterans. “Those stories are gold because when they’re being told, you can see that sparkle in the eye of a veteran reliving that sacrifice, that time with their comrades, and that should tell anyone how special they are.”
Col. Jeffrey Wood, J.D., MBA, talks about the common experiences of service.
Wood encouraged those who attended not only to thank veterans for their service, but, if appropriate, to ask how they’re doing. He also addressed the need to encourage future service in young people.
“There really is no better way to honor people’s sacrifices and to tell them thank you than to have your own son or daughter join a military organization,” he said. “There are so few people in the United States right now who will actually raise their hand and join and sign up, so they’re always looking for people to join. That’s one way people can give back.”
In addition to the speakers, the luncheon featured video presentations honoring veterans and rounds of military trivia in which attendees won prizes. It closed with an address from Brian Gittens, Ed.D., vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion, who served 13 years in the Marines Corps.
Volunteers gather donated items to create gift baskets that will be delivered to veterans.
“I’m glad we could take this time out to say thank you,” said Gittens. “It’s not only an important component of diversity but also important to me as a former Marine myself.”
In addition to the luncheon, the month’s events included:
- A week-long collection of items for care packages for veterans and active duty military, along with thank you cards signed by employees and students and tables throughout campus. UAMS Project SEARCH interns, along with members of the Veterans Awareness Committee assembled and delivered 275 care packages and thank you cards to Fort Roots and St. Francis House.
- The UAMS Cafeteria had a red, white and blue day with a special menu items.
- Veterans Awareness Committee members visited with veterans currently admitted as patients at UAMS Medical Center.
- An information fair was organized to answer questions from veterans and their families about benefits.