Dear Veteran,

23 September 2007

     My name is Kris Tyte; I was a Sergeant in the Army and served with the 82nd Airborne Division during OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) & OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom). I am the interim president of the UNCC Veterans’ Club. On behalf of the club members I would like to welcome you and other returning Veterans home.

     The UNCC Veterans’ Club was founded with the primary goal of advancing veteran issues. These issues include educational benefits, career placement and advancement as well as maximizing the use of VA benefits. Many resources are available to Veterans; however, many Veterans are not familiar with them. The Club’s goal is to connect Veterans with the benefits and resources available to them.

     Given that Charlotte College, which was later admitted to the University of North Carolina system, was founded for returning WWII veterans, it’s only fitting that the fine traditions established by Miss Bonnie Cone be continued into the 21st century.

     Throughout the history of the United States, Service Members returning from combat zones have made substantial contributions to secure the success of future generations of veterans.

     After the Spanish-American War in 1898, many veterans arrived home wounded or sick with no medical care or veterans' pension waiting for them. They were left to care for themselves. The Veterans of Foreign Wars was founded in 1899 to secure the rights and benefits for their service.

     Veterans returning from Europe after WWI founded the American Legion. The organization was essentially responsible for many of the provisions of the "G.I. Bill of Rights”, now known as the GI Bill.

     The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was a grassroots project launched by Corporal Jan Scuggs, who served in Vietnam from 1969-70. The project was launched as a way of acknowledging and recognizing the service and sacrifice of all those individuals that served in Vietnam.

     Today the Armed Forces are fighting a war on two fronts and we have lost far too many of our fine comrades; even one lost life is far too many. As Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq, how are we going to recognize the service and sacrifice of our fellow comrades? Even yet, what contributions are we going to make to future generations of Veterans?

     Just because we retired our uniforms, it does not mean that we have also retired our altruistic spirits. We led the way when our nation called upon us and we will continue to lead the way, now that we are home.

     I would like to welcome all veterans and the public at large to join us in honoring Veterans and continuing the advancement of Veteran issues that not only dignify our nation’s warriors but our nation as well.