New campus organization raising awareness about student veterans

A newly-founded Muskingum University organization, the Student Veterans Organization (SVO), is focusing its attention on raising awareness about the student veterans currently on the Muskingum University campus and about veteran’s benefits in general.

John Sidwell, assistant to the Registrar and retired United States Marine; senior Mike Meadows; and Muskingum alumnus and United States Veteran Hugh Martin founded the Student Veterans Organization last year.

“Any student who has any affiliation whatsoever with the military, whether it be a family member, friend, or peer, is welcome to come to the meetings and learn about veterans benefits and meet the veterans on campus,” said Sgt. Kenneth Martin, who is also a junior at Muskingum.

According to Martin, the goals the SVO hopes to achieve include the fostering of support and raising awareness for both the armed forces and the families of those fighting overseas.

Martin also said he hopes that student veterans become aware of the benefits and loans they can apply for in return for their years of service.

“Many students and faculty that came up to our table during Veterans Day had no idea that there were any veterans that attended the school,” said Martin.

“SVO wants to be recognized for the services and sacrifices that [have been] committed by our veterans and all veterans in the world and to show the military isn’t as bad as the media makes it out to be sometimes,” said Cpl. Derek Matthews, also first-year student at Muskingum.

The student veterans all chose to attend Muskingum after being a part of the military for various reasons.

“I came back so that my children could attend East Muskingum Schools and so that I could be closer to my family,” said Nicole Abbott, a YN2, or Yeoman Second Class within the Navy, and a first-year student at Muskingum, about why she chose to attend Muskingum University over any other institution nationwide.

Junior Martin Micale, a Navy veteran, said the desire to be near his son helped him make his decision of attending Muskingum, as did his desire to wrestle.

Martin also said he chose Muskingum because of his strong family connection within Muskingum, noting his brother, Hugh Martin, a co-founder of SVO, and his mother as having graduated from Muskingum.

The SVO Veterans Day afternoon celebration held on the Quad included a large variety of soda; a large cake specially designed for Veteran’s Day with edible sugar decals of each military branch seal and pizza.

“Student Senate approved the funding for our Veterans Day celebration and students seemed to enjoy the cake, soda and pizza that was provided,” Martin said.

Martin added that he appreciated the warm reception from both students and faculty for the SVO Veteran’s Day celebration.

The Student Veterans Organization is encouraging students who may be interested in joining the military to speak with one of the SVO veterans prior to going to a recruiting officer.

“Don’t handle such a big decision lightly,” said Abbott.
Students who are interested in becoming a member of the Student Veterans Organization or joining the military should contact either John Sidwell at the Registrar’s Office, located in Montgomery Hall, or any other SVO member.