By Anne Hall

Staff Writer

 “On Veterans Day we take time to honor those that have served before us and to come. To commemorate and honor people who have protected the freedoms we have in the U.S.”

–Michael Betancourt, SVO Treasurer & ASI Veterans Representative

Staff from the Veterans Center and students that participate in the Student Veterans Organization (SVO) can be seen all over campus participating in events and working to help the community.

As the school acknowledged Dia De Los Muertos, SVO members featured a table that took a moment to honor the fallen. Students put together a memorial with photos of those we’ve lost and the branches of military they served. Cougars gathered to observe the artwork while Veterans helped to create public awareness about the realities of being a part of military service and how youthful these lives were that were sacrificed. Female casualties were also recognized and people were in awe to find that women continue to carry a strong role in serving in combat.

SVO is a “one stop shop for veterans on campus,” said SVO Treasurer, Michael Betancourt.

The space is a place to get academic help, find comradely, be assisted with any student matters that one might find need for guidance and assistance in education.

There is no need to be a Veteran to be a part of the SVO. All students are encouraged to participate in this student organization. Benefits include building leadership skills, participating in events, volunteer work and building a business network within the community both on campus and within the neighboring community to get people into the workforce.

This Thursday VA will be holding the Annual Veterans Day Observance in the Tukwut Courtyard to honor military veterans. Participants in SVO are doing events to create awareness of the military presence on campus and addressing the issues of the demographic. ASI has recently created a new VA Officer position in student government to provide a representative for this population. Veterans are constantly finding ways to be a bigger part of the community on campus.

Friday will be the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Veterans Center that will open Fall 2014.

“Very exciting. CSUSM is known to be the most veteran friendly CSU. To have this building is to create a space that veterans can call home as far as community on campus. It’s a great way for the school to thank us for all we’ve done and are doing,” Betancourt said.

Everyone is encouraged to come and participate in the event. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/csusm.veterans?fref=ts or visit the Veterans Center.

[dropcap][/dropcap]There was a correction from the printed version of this article: the SVO President is Claudia Oreegal, who is featured at the left.