Veterans Awards 2024
Cleveland State Community College hosted a Veterans Celebration on Monday, Nov. 11. Over 100 college and community members attended the event to honor active military personnel and veterans who have served our country.
Two veterans were recognized at the celebration. Air Force Staff Sergeant Russell White was named the Veteran of the Year. White will be graduating from Cleveland State in December with a major of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries. Air Force Buck Sergeant Gregory Edwards received the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Chancellor’s Coin. Edwards is an associate professor and clinical coordinator in the nursing program at Cleveland State.
The celebration started with a wreath-laying event at the flagpole followed by a joint color guard from Bradley Central High School (BCHS) Army ROTC and Cleveland High School (CHS) Air Force ROTC presenting the nation's colors. In honor of all veterans, the ceremony continued with a joint cake-cutting ceremony by the ROTC units at BCHS and CHS. A reception followed the ceremony.
Kim Allin, CSCC Veterans Services Coordinator, stated, “We cannot forget as a nation what our
veterans do for us to maintain our freedoms and protect us from those that would like to destroy
those freedoms. Today, we celebrate those that sign a blank check with no expiration date and
without knowing the sacrifice they will endure to protect us. Do not let your communities forget
the veterans who have safeguarded our freedoms.”