UC Davis is continuing to show its support for the growing community of veterans on campus.
This morning (Nov. 4), 18 people volunteered to tie yellow ribbons around the 100-plus trees of the Quad in the traditional symbol of Veterans Day remembrance — an increase over last year’s volunteer numbers.
“I feel like helping those who served is helping the community,” said Isaac Valdez, who has served in the Army since 2015 and is currently a reservist while attending UC Davis as a chemical physics major. “It helps (community members) educate themselves to what veterans go through.”
Raquel Villanueva, who works in the Veterans Success Center connecting students with their Veterans Affairs benefits, said she has continued to see the number of veterans on campus grow. Currently there are 240 veterans and more than 900 veteran-dependents enrolled at UC Davis, she said. More than 100 staff members on the Davis campus have self-identified as veterans.
Support for veterans extends beyond that community, too.
Cesar Flores, a sophomore majoring in civil engineering, said he came to tie ribbons around trees on the Quad because he was thankful for an American Legion scholarship he received as a high-schooler that allowed him to visit Sacramento to learn more about government.
In addition to its regular schedule of tutoring, weekly coffee and other events, the Veterans Success Center has several other events planned in the lead-up to Veterans Day (Nov. 11):
- Tuesday, Nov. 5 — VET NET Ally training is meant to educate faculty and staff about the needs and concerns of military personnel and veterans, and foster a network of allies to those people. Registration is required. 8:30 a.m.-noon, multipurpose room, Student Community Center.
- Wednesday, Nov. 6 — Veterans Appreciation Lunch, for student veterans, service members and dependents. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 114 South Hall.
- Thursday, Nov. 7 — 4th annual Veterans Celebration. All are invited to this event to connect veterans, military affiliate groups and members of the community. Light appetizers and beverages will be served, and door prizes will be awarded. Kelly Ratliff, vice chancellor for Finance, Operations and Administration, is scheduled to give remarks. RSVPs are required. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Buehler Alumni Center.
- Saturday, Nov. 9 — Armed Forces Brew-Off, hosted at Sudwerk Brewing Co., will pit beers brewed by veterans of all five branches of the armed forces against one another. Attendees at this free event can sample each and vote for their favorite. 4-9 p.m., 2001 Second St., Davis.
- Saturday, Nov. 16 — Salute to Heroes Day at Aggie football. Veterans, military personnel and first responders are invited to a pregame tailgate with food and drinks, and are eligible to purchase $5 tickets to the game against Montana State using the promo code “AGGIESERVICE.”