Citrus College Salutes Military Veterans

Story and photos courtesy of Citrus Community College

In commemoration of Veterans Day, hundreds of students, faculty and community leaders gathered at the Citrus College campus to celebrate the men and women who have served the United States and helped preserve its freedoms at the eighth annual “Saluting Our Veterans” event on Thursday, Nov. 7.

Citrus College and Azusa Pacific University (APU) partnered with the cities of Glendora and Azusa to pay tribute to members of all branches of the U.S. military and celebrate the contributions they have made to preserving America’s freedoms.

“It is our job as educators and citizens to honor these individuals who have fought for our freedoms and salute them for the sacrifices they have made, and this momentous celebration is just one way to do that,” said Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D. “Citrus College is committed to giving back to our veterans for their loyal, dedicated and courageous service.”

Congresswoman Judy Chu, a champion of veterans’ issues, delivered remarks in which she thanked the veterans for their service and called attention to the importance of strengthening veterans’ benefits and expanding support programs for them.

“Veterans of all ages have given so much to protect this nation and preserve our values,” Chu said. “It’s a debt that must be repaid, and you at Citrus College are leading the way. Your work goes a long way to helping veterans transition to civilian life.”

Citrus College alumni U.S. Navy veteran Ashley Solano and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Fernando Salazar, Jr., gave the keynote speeches and said they were thankful for Citrus College being a trailblazer in the San Gabriel Valley and the nation for building a foundation under which returning veterans can thrive.

With the help of the college’s Veterans Center, Solano is transferring to Cal Poly Pomona. Salazar, who is responsible for reactivating the student Veterans Network on campus, received the prestigious recognition as 2013 Citrus College Man of the Year and was named Veteran of the Year by 48th District State Assemblyman Roger Hernandez.  Salazar currently attends Cal State Los Angeles.

This year’s celebration also included the recognition of community veteran honorees, including Spc. 4th Class Rose Sayre, a 16-year Citrus College employee who enlisted in the Army in 1978. She is currently the evening coordinator at the Owl Bookshop.

The other veterans recognized during the event were Spc. 4th Class Robert Nelson, a Glendora resident and former Citrus College student who served in the Vietnam war; Capt. Gabriel Higerd, a graduate of APU who served in Iraq; and Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Hostetler, an Iraq war veteran from Azusa.

Thursday’s event also featured a performance by Gladstone High School’s marching band, an AMVETS Honor Guard, military exhibits, a patriotic musical tribute by the Citrus College group Night Shift, and a moving salute to fallen veterans.

The patriotic occasion is just one way that Citrus College demonstrates the community of support it has fostered for returning veterans, who are offered a wide array of services through the state-of-the art Veterans Center, including support counseling, tutoring and G.I. Bill information.

G.I. Jobs magazine recently designated Citrus College as a Military Friendly School for the fourth consecutive year, ranking the college among the top 15 percent of all higher education institutions in the nation providing services to veterans.

The designation was published in the magazine’s annual “Guide to Military Friendly Schools” compilation. It provides military students seeking higher education a listing of the colleges, universities and trade schools across the country that have most demonstrated a strong desire to recruit returning veterans, while also bolstering academic opportunities and providing on-campus support for them.

“Citrus College has developed a culture that welcomes our returning veterans who are transitioning to civilian life and adjusting to academic challenges,” said Susan M. Keith, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. “These are our nation's heroes and Citrus College is proud to provide them with a place to call home.”