Fresno State Ceremony Honors Veterans On November 9, 2010

October 29, 2010
California State University, Fresno will pay tribute to the university’s 350 veterans – students and employees – in a ceremony at noon Tuesday, Nov. 9, with music, bagpipes and a talk by a professor who served as a U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate General.

Presented by the Fresno State Student Veterans Organization, the event is open to the public. It will be held in the Memorial Court in front of the Kennel Bookstore.

The Fresno State campus is closed Nov. 11 for the national Veterans Day observance.

Fresno State’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Color Guard will present colors, followed by singing the National Anthem by Lorilynn Alamano, an employee in the University Police Department. Ken Bain from the Scottish Society of Central California will perform on the bagpipes.

The speaker, Dr. Mark Stevens, Fresno State criminology professor who holds a law degree, will highlight the societal contributions veterans make in a university setting and in the community. After his own college years, Stevens served 22 years on active duty with the Marine Corps as a field artillery officer, commanding officer and executive officer.

He is the adviser to the Fresno State Mock Trial Teams, the Fresno State Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma and the National Criminal Justice Honor Society.

Earlier this semester, Fresno State was named a Military Friendly School for 2011 by G.I. Jobs magazine for its dedication to the veteran community.

The university, which was recognized for its efforts to ease veterans’ transition to a new lifestyle, participates in the California State University Troops to College program, designed to attract more veterans to California’s public universities and colleges by making campuses more veteran-friendly.

The university’s Veterans Services Office, within the Division of Student Affairs, helps students who are veterans, reservists and active-duty personnel maximize educational benefits and understand the benefits process.

Last year, the Veterans Services Office helped its students form the Fresno State Student Veterans Organization. Club members will participate in the Nov. 11 Fresno Veterans Parade, which is led by the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band and includes the university’s Air Force ROTC unit.

For more information, contact Robyn Gutierrez, Veterans Benefits coordinator, at 559.278.7030 or rgutierrez@csufresno.edu.

Fresno Company Steps Up To Help Out Legion of Valor

The Fresno Veterans Memorial Auditorium, home of the Legion of Valor, will get a facelift thanks to a little help from community members.

On Tuesday, over 60 volunteers from Pinnacle Property Management announced plans to clean up the interior and grounds of the buildings.

"Pinnacle is proud to be able to give back in order to support our veterans and to preserve the future for a community that has been so good to us in the past," said Pinnacle Regional Vice President Chris Mott.

It won't just be manpower that Pinnacle is supplying, many of the company's vendors will also donate time and expertise. These vendors will offer services such as carpet cleaning, painting, plumbing and much more.

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin says Pinnacle is a great example of the power of volunteering. "Pinnacle's day of giving back is a wonderful example of team spirit and generosity, particularly since it is being done in honor of our veterans who have given so much to us," she said. "We are grateful to them for contributing their time, talents and resources on behalf of our community."

GI Jobs Magazine Names Fresno State a Military Friendly School

California State University, Fresno has been named a Military Friendly School for 2011 by G.I. Jobs magazine for its dedication to the veteran community.

G.I. Jobs is targeted on individuals leaving the military and adjusting to civilian work or education. The schools on its list are the top 15 percent of all colleges and universities in service to veterans.

Fresno State was recognized for its efforts to ease veterans’ transition to a new lifestyle, said Robyn Gutierrez, coordinator of the Fresno State Veterans Affairs Office, and for the office’s comprehensive services.

Fresno State participates in the California State University Troops to College program, designed to attract more veterans to California’s public universities and colleges by making campuses more veteran-friendly.

The university’s Veterans Affairs Office, within the Division of Student Affairs, helps veteran students maximize educational benefits and understand the benefits process.

The office also helped its students form the Fresno State Student Veterans Organization last year. The club is recruiting from among the 350 veterans, reservists and active-duty personnel enrolled this fall.

The club promotes communication between student veterans, helps them connect with services, resources and organizations and encourages development of social and professional relationships among members as they continue to serve their country.

Club members are planning a campus observance of Veterans Day for Nov. 10 and will participate in the Fresno Veterans Parade on Nov. 11 which is led by the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band.

Fresno State hosts two reserve officer training programs through its Aerospace Studies Program (Air Force) and Military Science Studies (Army).

The AFRTOC detachment was founded in 1948, just one year after the Air Force became an official branch of America’s military. It is one of the top-achieving AFROTC units, winning prestigious Right of Line Award for Best Detachment honors the past two years, a rare achievement.

Lt. Col. John M. Lussi, Aerospace Studies chair and professor of, applauded GI Jobs accolade for Fresno State, saying, “I could not be happier with the amount of popular support that Air Force ROTC Detachment 35 receives from Fresno State and the local community.

“Whether it be our relationship with the 144th Fighter Wing of the California National Guard at the airport, veterans at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building or just patriotic people all around town; the Valley is a great place for military – past, present, and future,” Lussi added.

Army ROTC, at Fresno State since 1982, has commissioned hundreds of line and nurse officers for the active, National Guard and Reserve units.

Lt. Col. Scott T. Figlioli, Military Science chair and professor, said, “Army ROTC cadets receive unbelievable support from the Fresno community, organizations and businesses.”

“This program is fortunate to be located among such a military friendly community and our cadets give much of their personal time to volunteer in order give back to the community and university that they love,” he added.

“Fresno and the surrounding area have a high concentration of active duty, National Guard and reserve military organizations,” said Figlioli. “Many of our cadets choose to serve as members of those organizations after they gain commissions as Army officers in order to remain in Fresno and the Central Valley.”

The university also pays tribute to the military with flyovers at Bulldogs football games by the 144th Fighter Wing of the California National Guard and Naval Air Station, Lemoore. Three years ago, two B-1 Lancer bombers conducted a flyover from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., to honor a Fresno State alumnus who led development of the plane.

To view the GI Jobs list, visit the website at http://www.militaryfriendlyschools.com.

For more information about the Fresno State Veterans Affairs Office, call 559.278.7030.

(University Communications news intern Sadie Thomas contributed to this report.)

VA Announces Expansion of VetSuccess on Campus Pilots

SOURCE: United States Department of Veterans Affairs

New Program Eases Veterans’ Transition to College Life
WASHINGTON – Two community colleges and three other four-year colleges and universities are being added to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VetSuccess on Campus pilot program. VA counselors are being assigned to assist Veterans attending school under the Post-9/11 GI Bill make the most of their educational opportunities at Salt Lake City Community College, the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Arizona State University and Texas A&M University -- Central Texas.


“A growing number of the eight million students in America’s community colleges are Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “VA will do all it can to make Veterans’ experiences in our community colleges and universities fulfilling and productive for them, their schools and the Nation.”

The pilot program is designed to ensure Veterans’ health, educational, and benefits needs are met as they make the transition from active-duty military service to college life.

The announcement comes as the White House holds the first-ever community college summit chaired by Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden and adjunct English professor at Northern Virginia Community College. The meeting of top school and federal education officials will focus on ways that community colleges can help meet education and workforce demands.

“I am thrilled to see the expansion of the VetSuccess program,” said Dr. Biden. “I know the transition from military to student life can be challenging and we owe it to those who have served our country to make their transitions as easy and successful as possible.”

Under the pilot program already underway at the University of South Florida, Cleveland State University, and San Diego State University, experienced VA vocational rehabilitation counselors and outreach coordinators from VA’s Vet Centers are assigned to campuses to provide vocational testing, career and academic counseling, and readjustment counseling services to ensure Veterans receive the support and assistance needed to successfully pursue their educational and employment goals.

VA counselors work directly with school officials to establish effective communications channels with Veteran students and coordinate the delivery of VA benefits and services.

Peer-to-peer counseling and referral services are also available to help resolve any problems that could potentially interfere with a Veteran’s educational program, including referrals for more intensive health services through VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, or Vet Centers, as needed.

For more information on VA benefit programs and VetSuccess, go to http://www.vba.va.gov or www.vetsuccess.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.

Green Beret Who Died Saving Comrades Awarded Medal of Honor: A Display of True American Courage

Oviedo, Florida (CNN) -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday awarded the Medal of Honor -- the nation's highest military decoration -- to Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller, a Green Beret who died after willingly taking fire to protect U.S. and Afghan soldiers.

The citation read at a solemn White House ceremony in Washington, D.C., honored Miller for "conspicuous gallantry ... at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty" and "extraordinary acts of heroism" on January 25, 2008, when a patrol he led was ambushed in Afghanistan.

Miller killed at least 10 insurgents and wounded dozens more in repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire "in keeping with the highest traditions of military service," the citation said.

Miller is the seventh service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama gave a detailed account of the combat in which Miller was killed, describing how the small group of U.S. and Afghan soldiers came under fire in a narrow valley from protected enemy positions above.

Realizing the peril of the situation, Miller ordered his team to fall back, but then "did something extraordinary," Obama said.

"Rob moved the other way, toward the insurgents," to draw their fire so his team could back off safely, the president said.

The others could hear Miller firing and calling out enemy positions amid overwhelming enemy fire, Obama said.


"Then over the radio, they heard his voice," Obama continued. "He had been hit. But still he kept calling out enemy positions, still he kept firing, still he kept hurling grenades. Then they heard it. Rob's weapon fell silent."

Five members of his team were wounded, Obama said, but all survived. He quoted one of the survivors as saying, "I would not be alive today if not for his ultimate sacrifice."

Some of the dozen team members at the ceremony were red-eyed when Obama asked them to stand, and the president cited them and all U.S. fighting forces in Afghanistan for their commitment to the mission of preventing the country from again becoming a haven for terrorists to launch attacks on the United States.

"Every American is safer because of their service, and every American has a duty to remember and honor their sacrifice," Obama said.

Miller's parents, Maureen and Philip Miller, stood onstage with Obama as the citation was read. They earlier told how they take consolation that their son gave his life so others could live.

"If it wasn't for Robert's actions, they could have easily been killed," Maureen Miller said.

Miller's father added: "We have a sense of awe and amazement of what he did and a feeling of pride."

Sgt. James Lodyga, Miller's commander in Afghanistan, described the battle in the village of Barikowt, near the Pakistani border, as being like "fish in a barrel."

"Enemy on right, on the left. Robby immediately started firing," Lodyga said.

An Army commendation noted the young man's character.

"Only 24 years old, Miller impressed everyone on his team. Although the youngest member of A Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group [Airborne], Fort Bragg, N.C., he quickly earned a reputation for taking on difficult challenges," the Army said.

His mother relayed a perspective only a parent could have.

"I'm feeling humbled by it," Maureen Miller said. "He was just our kid, not too long out of the annoying teenager stage, and he was doing all this."

She had a notion, though, of her son's outlook on life.

"Robert wore his favorite shirt which said, 'Cowards die many time before their death. The valiant never taste of death but once,' " she said.

The fallen soldier's sister, Nancy, pointed out that "he was always concerned about looking out for others."

Lodyga said Miller did just that.

"Robby was shot in the side and he shot those who shot him," the sergeant said. "He kept firing until he succumbed to a shot under the armpit. I don't know how to put it into words. I know Robby saved our lives, Absolutely he's a hero. I thank him a lot."

The Medal of Honor is given for exceptional acts of gallantry, "bravery or self-sacrifice" and must involve risk of life, the White House said.

At Miller's home in Oviedo, Florida, his parents fly the U.S. flag -- and display two stars in a window.

"The blue star flag is anyone in active service. Gold star is designation that they are fallen in battle," Philip Miller said. "They are in memory of our son and a proud memorial for him."

For Miller's parents, Wednesday's ceremony at the White House was an important step on the long road to healing.

The parents were told at his funeral more than two years ago that the decorated Green Beret would be receiving another commendation.

"There was a sense that it wasn't finished and that there was something left to be done," Maureen Miller said. "Now this part of the chapter will be closed."

The slain warrior's mother said she was looking forward to "finally getting it over with and a sense of closure. We will always miss Rob and there will always be a hole in our heart."

CNN's Tom Cohen contributed to this story.