VIEWFINDER: Tacoma Community College Honors Veterans

(Editor's note: This comes courtesy of Tacoma Community College)

The TCC Veteran’s Club joined with Student Life staff and other members of the campus community to honor veterans at the second annual Veteran’s Recognition Ceremony on Feb. 16.

Student veterans and their guests gathered in the Student Center to share a meal and participate in a “Challenge Coin” ceremony. They were joined by TCC staff, including Board of Trustees veterans Fred Whang and Bob Ryan.

Keynote Speaker John W. Jefferson, retired Sergeant Major (E-9), United States Army, spoke about the choices that led him to join the army as a young man, and the reasons he reenlisted again and again.

“I was in the army for 30 years and 9 days, and I loved every minute of it,” said Jefferson. “The military was what I needed. To make me a better person, to make me aware of what’s going on. I love the military… if I had to do it all over again, I would.”

After dinner Veteran’s Club President Jeff Sacherer and Student Life Program Director Jen Manley presented veterans with a “Challenge Coin.” These coins have a military tradition that dates back to WWI, when a downed fighter pilot allegedly established his identity by presenting his would-be executioners with a coin stamped with the symbol of his regiment. These days the coins facilitate camaraderie among members of the armed forces, and coining ceremonies serve as a way to honor veterans.