Veteran’s Day celebration leads into PTSD conference

Veteran’s Day is the day to remember and recognize those who have served and are currently serving our country, and to offer gratitude for what those individuals have experienced.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Jon Hansen, interim vice president for enrollment management and marketing, spoke during the Veteran’s Day ceremony in the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Monday morning. He began by recognizing members in the audience who have served or are currently serving. Hansen then read two poems, one of a soldier’s poem, the second of a service man found sleeping on his floor where he lived alone, by Santa, on Christmas Eve.

Hansen continued by reading words from George Washington, and adding his own words.

“Just offer a simple debt which is to say ‘thank you.’” Hansen said during his presentation.

Along with the Veteran’s Day ceremony Monday, the Professional SW435 Social Work class presented the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Veteran’s Invisible Wounds conference, yesterday. A panel that consisted of Gary May, professor of social work at Southern Indiana, Dr. Nicholle Peralta, psychiatrist from the Cheyenne VA, Colonel Tom Brewer, Willem H. Fahrenbruck, and Dr. Sally Weyer, Black Hills VA clinical psychologist answered questions from the audience before lunch.

Hansen and Nebraska Senator Al Davis also spoke before breakout sessions and lunch. There were four breakout sessions individuals could sit in on where different speakers presented throughout the day. CSC President Randy Rhine and many other noted individuals also took turns speaking throughout the day during the conference.