CPTC Celebrates Veterans

The Clover Park Technical College community gathered for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the McGavick Event Center Nov. 13.

Hosted by CPTC’s Associated Student Government, the ceremony included several local ties with student, staff and faculty veterans. Randy Holt, Army veteran and staff employee, and Dwayne Waller, Air Force veteran and student, presented the POW/MIA Missing Man Ceremony to honor those who have not returned home.

CPTC Veteran Navigator and Army veteran Shawn Durnen served as the event's guest of honor.

“As a veteran myself, I know the trials and hardships of transitioning to a world of unknown possibilities,” he said.

Durnen presented The President’s Volunteer Service award to two CPTC student veterans.

Don Anderson served as the keynote speaker of the ceremony. The City of Lakewood mayor served overseas as a U.S. Navy JAG officer from 1978-1981.

“As an advocate for veterans, it’s truly an honor to represent the City of Lakewood here, especially since Lakewood is a self-identified military town,” Mayor Anderson said. “You will need to be the examples in your community of what a veteran is and should be: a servant and a winner.”

CPTC Automotive Technician Instructor and Army veteran Bob Offerdahl led a roll call processional to acknowledge all veterans in attendance.

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Honor Guard performed the posting and retiring of the colors.

The ceremony concluded with a processional from the McGavick Event Center to the Veterans Memorial Wall on campus for the presentation of the wreath.

For more information about resources available for veterans, please visit http://www.cptc.edu/veterans.