Venango College Honors Fallen Soliders; Renowned Army Vet Speaks

Jake Bauer

Jake Bauer

Published November 11, 2016 5:36 am
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OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — Venango College Veterans Club honored fallen soldiers at its third annual “Flags for the Fallen” ceremony held on November 10. Renowned army vet and founder of Final Salute, Inc. Jaspen Boothe was key speaker at the event and discussed her efforts in helping over 2,000 women veterans and children.

“Sometimes people forget how much (veterans) do sacrifice and sometimes they may only pick up the ones who have fallen, but we also have to remember the ones who come back on American soil and fall when they can’t get the support and services they need,” Boothe said. “We have to remind people of what our military men and women go through but also let them know that once they come home that sometimes, their battles continue.”

Established in November 2010, Final Salute, Inc. has assisted women veterans and children in over 30 states and territories.

Boothe, a Chicago native, founded the nonprofit organization following her own difficulties as a disabled homeless veteran. While serving in Iraq, she lost her home to Hurricane Katrina. One month later, Boothe was diagnosed with an aggressive form of head, neck and throat cancer.

Returning home after treatment, Boothe was told there were no existing programs specifically for women veterans with children. Several years later, she founded Final Salute, Inc. as part of her commitment to “never leave a fallen comrade.” The organization has raised over $2 million in order to house women veterans and their children.

Boothe has received over 20 awards in recognition of her efforts. Awards include CNN Hero, People Magazine Hero Among Us and Oprah Winfrey and Toyota Standing Ovation.

She said Veterans Day events are central in bringing communities together to honor United States military members.

“‘Flags of the Fallen’ and other events like this are important because they honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s military men and women,” Boothe commented.

SFC Chris Armitage of the U.S. Army and members of the Venango College Veterans Club read an honor role of over 300 fallen soldiers who had served during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Major Sanford Walker of the U.S. Air Force (retired) performed a colonial cannon salute next to Suhr Library.

Major Sanford Walker of the U.S. Air Force performs a colonial cannon salute on Venango Campus.

Major Sanford Walker of the U.S. Air Force performs a colonial cannon salute on Venango Campus.

Around 1,500 American flags were placed around campus, with 289 of them representing fallen soldiers from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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Mark Conrad, adviser of the Venango College Veterans Club, said ‘Flags of the Fallen’ started as a way to honor returning soldiers on campus.

“We found that this brings the students together that are not just veterans, but are non-veterans that really want to honor their family, their loved ones and their fellow community members,” Conrad explained.

(Live stream courtesy of Oil City High School)

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