Every November, Veterans Day invites us to pause and thank those who have served. At UMA, that gratitude shows up all year long, both in the people who help student veterans find their footing and in the veterans who show up for one another.
UMA serves more than 200 veterans each year. Through Military and Veteran Services, veterans, active service members, and the spouses and children of veterans get help navigating both UMA and VA resources.
At the heart of that work is the Veteran Academic Center (VAC), and it’s much more than a place to study. In the VAC, veterans help each other work through the VA system, talk openly about the challenges of moving from military to civilian life, and encourage one another to reach their education goals and other healthy goals.
That same spirit reaches beyond our students. Each month, Coffee with Vets brings UMA veterans and veterans from the surrounding community together in the Fireside Lounge, and those mornings are building friendships that last.
Join us November 12 for Coffee with Vets: A Special Veterans Day Event
This month’s Coffee with Vets honors our veterans and their continued contributions to our campuses, workplaces, and communities. Join us in person in Farber Forum or online on Thursday, November 12, from 8 to 10 a.m. The morning opens with the National Anthem performed by Arthur Belanger, followed by guest speakers from Bread of Life Ministries and Vet2Vet Maine, then online games and time to connect. In-person guests can wrap up with cornhole on the lawn.
Questions? Contact Justin Crockett at justin.crockett@maine.edu.
Supporting the students who have served is one of UMA’s longest-standing commitments, and it’s a big part of what it means to meet learners where they are.