93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
There were few dry eyes at Columbia College during Friday’s military appreciation day event, which honored military members and staff, faculty, students, alumni and friends who have served in the U.S. military.
One of the guest speakers, Jen Satterly from the St. Louis-based All Secure Foundation, says many of those who have served in combat or overseas have had suicidal thoughts. She also talked about those who have committed suicide. That moved Columbia College president Dr. David Russell, who tells 939 the Eagle that suicide has been a challenge for the military service for as far back as he was in the service.
“Suicide is an unfortunate byproduct of being a warrior and fighting our nation’s wars. And we’re really not prepared as a society to deal with that kind of thing. We get caught up in the heroics of their actions and their commitment to the country, but we fail then to follow through and help them along the way when they need it,” Dr. Russell says.
Dozens of Columbia College employees, wearing their red “remember everyone deployed” shirts, participated in Friday’s ceremony on-campus. A number of them had tears in their eyes, as the guest speakers from the All Secure Foundation discussed the veteran suicide issue in-detail. President Russell was moved too, and praises his employees:
“I’m very proud of these employees. They take very seriously our mission to support our veterans and active service members. Many of them work with them every day, and they’re a different sort of patriot,” says Dr. Russell.
He says 70 percent of Columbia College students have some sort of military affiliation. Columbia College will also participate in the wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day morning at the Boone County Courthouse.
