SCC to host weeklong veterans celebration

Published: 10/22/2013

The events will be held during the week preceding Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. They are free and open to the public, and will take place on the college’s campus in Cottleville.

Veterans Week Ceremonial March
2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, Campus Plaza

Campus and community members may join the ceremonial march around campus to honor and recognize our veterans. Hosted by the Student Veteran Organization, the ceremonial march will begin near the flagpoles outside the Learning Resource Center, rain or shine.

SCC Student Veterans Panel
11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, Auditorium of the Social Sciences Building

A panel of SCC student veterans will answer questions about life in the military and as students.

"The Invisible War" Film
7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, Auditorium of the Social Sciences Building

"The Invisible War" is a documentary about the epidemic of sexual assault of soldiers within the U.S. military. 

From Combat to College, featuring SCC student Jeph Jones
7 p.m. Thursday Nov. 7, Auditorium of the Social Sciences Building

Jeph Jones, SCC student veteran, will share his story of transitioning from deployment to life as a college student. A platoon from his company is featured in the book "Black Hearts: One Platoon's Descent Into Madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death." The book will be available for sale during the event.

Veterans Celebration
11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, College Center Gymnasium

Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Champagne, assistant adjutant general – air, Missouri National Guard, will give the keynote address. The ceremony will include the SCC Concert Band under the direction of David Dickey, the SCC Choir under the direction of Gene Ditch, local veteran organizations and their color guards, a tribute to President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and salutes to veterans. SCC President Ron Chesbrough will welcome students, faculty, staff and community members.

Champagne is responsible for strategic planning of Air National Guard operations to ensure mission viability for Missouri Air National Guard force structure. He also assists the adjutant general in implementation of plans and policies affecting an Airlift Wing, Bomb Wing, Air Operations Group, Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, Air Traffic Control, and Combat Communications Squadrons and other support missions and programs affecting more than 2,500 Air National Guard personnel. 

Champagne began his career in the Missouri Air National Guard in 1981 when he received his commission through the Academy of Military Science. He then continued through formal F-4 Phantom navigator and pilot training courses. In 1991, he transitioned to the F-15 Eagle. He served in numerous flying positions as both an instructor pilot and commander and has a broad background of experience with assignments in flying operations, logistics, aircraft maintenance, a National Guard Bureau staff assignment, and wing staff positions. He flew combat missions in Operations Provide Comfort and Southern Watch and commanded the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, Tallil AB, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Champagne achieved combat mission ready status in the B-2 Spirit in 2008. His previous assignment was commander of the 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., where he commanded the National Guard's only B-2 unit that provides nearly 1,100 combat-ready airmen for both state and federal missions. 

For more information on Veterans Week events, visit www.stchas.edu/veteransweek or to learn more about services for veterans on campus, the Student Veteran Organization and Honoring Military Families Scholarship, contact Tomi Schwandt, SCC coordinator of veteran benefits and scholarships at 636-922-8268 or tschwandt@stchas.edu.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.