National commander among main-stage speakers at event this week in Colorado.
American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley is among the speakers scheduled for the 18th Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference Thursday through Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Legion will also have a booth in the SVA exhibit hall “campus” throughout the event; representatives of American Legion Gaming will be on hand with video games and consoles for participants and will provide information about the therapeutic value of gaming for veterans. And student veterans will receive Be the One suicide-prevention training from the Legion and Columbia University in a special Friday session at 4:30 p.m. More than 20,000 people nationwide have received the training to detect suicide risk and take proven steps to prevent tragedy.
Thousands of student veterans from more than 1,600 SVA chapters across the country are expected to attend the conference in and around the Broadmoor Resort and Conference Center and take in a variety of activities, service projects, opportunities to network, awards ceremonies, entertainment and more.
On the agenda are:
Veterans Expo: Expert assistance with VA claims and services directly from VA representatives will be offered in the VA 1-on-1 Veterans Assistance Expo. Areas of assistance will include education benefits, health-care eligibility and enrollment, caregiver support and PACT Act/toxic exposure information.
Service Project: SVA members will join the Travis Manion Foundation and The Mission Continues, with support from RTX, with an off-site project Thursday at Venetucci Farm. The morning project includes property cleanup, trail clearing and seating construction to benefit the broader Colorado Springs community.
Employer Summit: Industry leaders will offer career insights to assist veterans in transition Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in a summit hosted by Hiring Our Heroes. The event is tailored for employers, service organizations and student veterans alike.
Remembrance Run: Student veterans will lace up for the annual Wear Blue Fallen Heroes Run/Walk Friday afternoon to remember all who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Yoga: The Veterans Yoga Project will conduct morning sessions at 6:30 Friday and Saturday at the Broadmoor West Ballroom.
Nearly 120 breakout sessions are set for the conference, addressing a variety of interests for student veterans – from career pathways in banking and finance to the challenge of juggling life as a veteran, mother and student, and how to dress for career success after military service. SVA’s website has a complete schedule of events, sessions and activities for the conference.
- Education