Guest speakers who have served in the military addressed the crowd. College President Jamelle J. Conner introduced the ones who enrolled at Amarillo College after active-duty service. "Veterans Day is a time for us to pause and express our deepest gratitude to those who have answered our nation's call to service," Conner said.
One speaker, Navy veteran and sonography student Iris Hernandez, said she owed many of her accomplishments to her mother and the military. Her service shaped her motivation to serve others. It also sparked an unexpected passion for health care.
For veterans thinking about college, the school has a dedicated contact. Stephanie Brackett, the college's coordinator of Veteran Services, said the school helps veterans and military-affiliated students find their way to college, including understanding and accessing the educational benefits for which they may be eligible. "We're proud to honor their service," she said.
Brackett also described what those students bring with them. "Our veterans bring invaluable experience, resilience and leadership to our campus," she said.