Air Force Veteran and FRCC Employee Ethan Swan shares the power and meaning of being acknowledged for his service.
For many people, November 11th is just another day. If you’re lucky enough to have the day off from work, you might look forward to it—but most people continue through their daily routines without giving the day a whole lot of thought.
For 6% of Americans, however, Tuesday just might be their favorite holiday. That’s the percentage of our country’s adult population that has served in the military, according to the Pew Research Center.
I served in the Air Force and my career field was Security Forces. I joined at 18 years old and was in the service from 2010 to 2014, primarily based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.
I’m originally from Pennsylvania, and I had no chance of going to college unless I joined the military. It was my opportunity to improve my life. While my work in the Air Force was very difficult, it got me out of where I was from and provided me with an opportunity to go to college.
After the military and getting a bachelor’s degree in public health, I struggled to find a meaningful career. Luckily, I found the position I’m working in at FRCC. I’m a student success coach for our military and veteran students, which allows me to help improve the lives of fellow veterans and give them a purpose post-military.
The Best Holiday of the Year
Veterans Day is my favorite holiday. For me, it’s the one day of the year where I and other veterans can be recognized (and get free things!), and we don’t need to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about it.
To be honest, normally when other people recognize me or thank me for my service, it makes me uncomfortable because I don’t really like recognition and a lot of attention. Many veterans feel the same way.
But on Veterans Day, it’s the one day where I feel like it’s okay and I enjoy the recognition.
Originally called Armistice Day, since its inception this holiday has carried deep meaning for those who have served. Renamed Veterans Day in 1954, November 11 is the one day that is specifically for us.
A Free Meal… or Three
Like members of an exclusive club, we flock to local restaurants to request special menus with free meals. Afterward, we might head to a carwash or get a free haircut, followed by a trip to a second restaurant for dinner. It’s the ultimate “treat yourself” day.
Veterans Day used to have a bunch of good freebies, but they’ve become scarcer throughout the years. In the past, I would wake up, get a free coffee from Starbucks and then a free breakfast from Village Inn. For lunch, I’d go to Firehouse Subs, then head out for multiple dinners—and a lot of leftovers. Usually, my dinner combo would be Olive Garden, Chilis and Applebee’s.
This year, I’ll be conducting the flag raising ceremony on campus at FRCC followed by bagels and coffee with other veterans from our college community. Then at lunch time, we’ll be giving out samples of military MRE food—”Meals, Ready to Eat” that are intended for use by military members when they’re in the field. The idea is to give our non-military students a taste of what people eat in the military when we’re away from the barracks and military dining facility. (Spoiler: MREs are nutritious but not delicious.)
If I’m lucky, I’ll get off work in time to beat the crowds to a Chilis.
The True Meaning of the Day
Sure, it’s easy to joke about chasing down free meals and discounts—but underneath it all, Veterans Day holds something deeper. It’s a day to celebrate the bonds we created, the challenges we overcame and the pride that never fades.
For that one day each year, veterans get to look around and say, “We did it. We’re still here.” And that’s worth more than any free dinner could ever be.
Come Thank a Veteran at FRCC
In honor of Veteran’s Day, Front Range Community College will award handmade Quilts of Valor to veteran students and employees at the college’s Westminster Campus this week. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the college’s veterans.
The quilts will be awarded to current and past students and staff from the college’s campuses in Longmont, Fort Collins and Westminster, as well as one of our Colorado Community College sister schools. FRCC’s Military & Veteran Services Department has planned the event in partnership with the Quilts of Valor Foundation, whose mission is to “cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts.” The quilts were made and donated by Columbine Quilt Guild in Arvada. Each quilt takes an average of 60 hours to complete.
The event will begin at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 13, in the College Hill Library (conference room 211). Please reach out to FRCC Military and Veteran Services with any questions at VeteranServices@frontrange.edu.
