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BU veterans raise awareness, seek campus support

An informal veteran “Meet and Greet” was held at the Fieldhouse in Campustown at 5 p.m. March 11. Veteran students, university faculty, National Guard reservists and military dependents attended the event.

“This is supposed to be a new beginning for Bradley veterans, sort of a gathering of the masses,” social work major and former Marine Derrick Campbell said. “I’m personally hoping we’re able to do something like this every month or so.”

The event was sponsored and organized by the Bradley University Social Services Organization (B.U.S.S), a student group of whom Campbell, as well as most of the other attendees, is a member.

“What we are trying to do is make Bradley a more friendly and navigable environment for veterans,” B.U.S.S President Dan Smith said. “Part of that is helping veterans network and socialize with each other.”

Smith is a former Marine and Gulf War veteran and said he was keenly aware of how difficult it can be to resume civilian life.

“It can be hard to connect with other students,” public relations major and Marine photojournalist Alesha Guard said. “We’ve gone through a lot of experiences that civilians haven’t, and that’s why events like these are important.”

Civil engineering major and Marine sergeant Eric Reynolds also said he found connecting with his peers challenging at times.

“There’s a dramatic age difference between you and everyone around you,” Reynolds said. “And on top of that, college involves a lot of new experiences, and that can be really disorienting, especially for someone coming from a very structured environment like the military.”

Beyond socializing, the “Meet and Greet” was also designed to be an opportunity for veterans to meet with representatives from organizations like the Peoria Vet Center and Veteran Assistance Commission (VAC).

“We are here to help veterans with their disability claims and make all the bureaucratic processes they have to go through easier,” VAC Superintendent Michael Brooks said. “Veterans deal with a lot of red tape and paperwork, which is one of the reasons I really think Bradley University needs a veteran’s office.”

Guard echoed this sentiment.

“There is a big need for official veteran services, and we’re all trying to make up for it as best we can,” Guard said. “The B.U.S.S wants to both give back to the broader Bradley community but wants to also secure recognition and resources for veteran students.”

Bradley currently has 61 veterans and military dependents.

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