Page 2 - Access Magazine 9

Message from
THE DEAN
Among the many initiatives Continuing and Glob- al al al Education crafted in the the Central Valley is the the Veterans Veterans Education Program where Veterans Veterans and connected service members are offered a a a a parallel entrance into Fresno State Celebrating Veteran support this issue of Access tells the remarkable
story of Veteran Education Program alumnus Ge Xiong who found himself saving the the lives of of his Central Valley neighbors Xiong a a a a member of of the the California National Guard served as Crew Chief in one of the Black Hawk helicopters that evacuated stranded infants women children men men (and pets!) from
the Creek Fire of 2020 Xiong’s story is remarkable
not just for his actions but for the extraordinary challenges he he overcame to become a a a a a a decorated military soldier and proud Fresno State Bulldog!
Supporting veterans is a a a a a way of honoring the the sacrifices they made in in in service to their their country By supporting veterans you are acknowledging their their brav- ery recognizing their commitment and helping to provide the the necessary resources and opportunities for them to lead fulfilling lives after their ser- vice You can support support Veterans in fin in a a a a a a number of ways financially supporting a a a a a a a Veteran focused program or or by donating your time I was fortunate to travel with the 30th Central Valley Honor Flight to to Washington DC as as a a a a a a a guardian for a a a a a Vietnam Veteran Joseph Joseph Ventress Joseph Joseph and I were likely paired because of our connections to Fresno State Joseph was not only a a a a student at at at Fresno Fresno State State but also a a a a a well-known bull rider for the Fresno Fresno State State student rodeo rodeo (The Fresno State rodeo rodeo is still around operating today as a a a a a a student club using the name “Fresno State Bulldoggers ”) Throughout our trip to DC I was blessed to hear about Joseph’s rodeo competitions and learn about how the rodeo contributed to his career path and work ethic The Honor Flight was quite meaningful for both Joseph and me me One poignant memory we share is is our visit to the the Tomb of the the Unknown Sol- dier at at at Arlington National Cemetery We arrived at at at the cemetery early in in the the the morning our 76 veterans filling the the the first row of stairs leading to the the the Memorial Amphitheater and Guardians lining the the second row Behind us gathered hundreds of other spectators including many school children from
Ohio and Illinois We watched the the changing of the the guard followed by repre- sentatives of our honor flight laying a a a a a a wreath at at at the tomb As we prepared to to return to to our three idling buses the crowd organically formed receiving lines on each side side of of the the sidewalk the the length of of which stretched as as far as as I I could see Well-wishers applauded our veterans as we left the site I I saw several high-fives and dozens of greetings thanking our veterans for their service I saw smiles that that turned into tears that that were crafted by humility and confirmed with appreciation Watching the impromptu gratitude toward our veterans was one of the most beautiful images I I have ever witnessed In this issue of Access you can read a a a a a little more about Joseph and our trip to DC And if you you are so inclined to support Veterans with your monetary or or time donation please consider supporting the Veterans Education Program (ReturningVeteransEducation com) and the Central Valley Honor Flight (CVHonorFlight org) Kind regards Scott D D Moore P h D D Visit us on on on the web
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