For more than a decade, Veterans Day has taken on a new meaning in my home. As the parents of an Army veteran, my wife and I understand the sacrifice both veterans and their families make for the safety and security of the common good.
Our first-born-son, Deric, was deployed at the age of 19 and served 15 months in Iraq and 12 months in Afghanistan as part of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division Triple Deuce. His service to our country can only be fully understood by those who have been there themselves. Deric was fortunate to return home but many of his friends and colleagues did not.
Veterans Day, observed on November 11, is a tribute like no other. Each community honors veterans in their own special way. From wreaths, moments of silence, storytelling to symposiums, concerts and parades, each one of these observances exists to pay tribute to those whose sacrifice can never fully be understood or repaid. Read more here.
Dr. Ric Baser
Northwest Vista College President
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Debi Gaitan
NVC Vice President of Student Success
The Way It Is…The Charm of the Ellipsis
NVC’s Learning Vision is: To become responsible members of our world community, we create exemplary models for:
Learning to Be
Learning to Work
Learning to Serve
Learning to Lead…TOGETHER.
Have you ever contemplated the ellipsis in the NVC Vision? I can recall numerous circumstances where I have reminded myself to focus on the ellipsis. That is where the answers to difficult questions reside. It will always show us the way. The poem by William Stafford called The Way It Is reminds me of our ellipsis. It is the thread we follow, that we hold on to and never let go.
Our founders had the foresight to create a vision that would support change but it would never change. Togetherness is at the heart of the NVC Vision. Together we serve others and are relentless in our pursuit of student success. We ROAR…together!
The Way It Is
There’s a thread you follow.
It goes among things that change.
But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread… TOGETHERNESS.
by William Stafford