YOUR VOICE: Recognizing veterans of the UHCL community

"I'm [a] Navy veteran. I served a little over eight years as an IT and was stationed on multiple ships including the USS San Antonio and USS Iwo Jima."

John Jaramillo, interdisciplinary studies major with core subjects EC-6 with ESL supplemental certification

"My grandpa was in the National Guard for about nine and a half years. He loves his country and is someone I greatly admire. I still remember him giving me his old, green duffle bag with his jacket, helmet and other items from his time serving. Those are things I will always appreciate having and am honored that he chose to give them to me."

Brandon Peña, editor-in-chief

"I served 8 years in the Texas Army National Guard, with 1 deployment overseas (OIF 2009-2010). While I did not deploy many times overseas, I did take on every opportunity to serve in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Hurricane Dolly, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike were all opportunities to reassure the communities that they were not forgotten and that we would make every effort to help them feel safe and secure."

Victoria Mandujano, interdisciplinary studies with core subjects 4-8

"I have served and still currently serve. It’s been a great experience that has given me great opportunities to flourish become who I am today."

Lisa, biology major and clinical lab science graduate student

"Alfred Mimms served in the Army for 4 years as a combat medic at the National Training Center (NTC). He was given an honorable discharge after his service. During his service he was respected member of his unit and was view by the infantrymen in his unit as one of them. He is currently a biology student at UHCL with a scope of looking in cancer research."

Xavier Arroyo, computer science major

"I am a proud Army Veteran that was stationed in Ft. Rucker, Al as an Air Traffic Controller for most of my enlistment. It was an honor to have served in the U.S. Army and I am thankful for the opportunity that serving in the military afforded me to pursue my education after my enlistment. I will be graduating this semester with my B.S. in Psychology and I would like to use my degree to help other female veterans who have suffered trauma."

Carla Richards, psychology

"Jay Hernandez of the VSO, was an awesome and helpful person to me. Always down to earth and caring, he reached out to all of us and knew that the struggle of being a veteran or dependent of a vet is real. I just found out that Oct. 19 was his last day at UHCL. He will truly be missed. Finding an employee of the UHCL community that truly cared for her students is rare. I wish him the best in his future career goals, and he deserves to be recognized."

D. Pinkney, criminology major

"I'm nominating Jay because he was such a huge help with anything veteran related while I was attending UHCL."

Tiffany Ferris, alumna

"I'm nominating my dad (retired Air Force) because he's my role model and he's done so much to help others."

Tiffany Ferris, alumna

"My mom worked in veterans service office for over 18 years and so most of the adults in my life, excluding teachers or family, were veterans. The only serving family member was my grandpa. He served in the army from 1949 to 1969."

Alyssa Shotwell, online editor

"Marine Jeremy Peña is currently serving in Hawaii. He is on his 2nd year in the corps and fights for all of his people back in H-Town."

Justin Murphy, co-managing editor