WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester University is marking Veterans Day with a powerful message that goes beyond simple appreciation. Under the theme “Beyond Gratitude: A Justice and Advocacy Campaign for Veterans,” the university will host a series of free events addressing the challenges many veterans face in navigating civilian life, accessing resources, and securing justice.
Organized by Dr. Michele P. Bratina, professor of criminal justice, the campaign’s signature event, “Veterans, Justice, and Community: Navigating Systems & Securing Support,” will take place Tuesday, November 11, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Business and Public Management Center, Room 101. The panel discussion will be followed by a reception and resource fair in Room 102, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available. Registration is free and open to the public.
The event brings together representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Chester County Veterans Affairs Office, WCU’s Veterans Center, and other community partners. Moderated by U.S. Marine Corps veteran and doctoral student John Crouser, the discussion will explore issues of mental health, reintegration, victimization, and access to services — pressing topics that affect thousands of veterans across the Commonwealth.
Dr. Bratina, who is leading the effort, said the campaign is focused on connecting veterans with advocacy, resources, and practical solutions that address systemic challenges.
Additional programs include a resume review and career lunch for student veterans on November 11, and a virtual suicide prevention and awareness training led by Coatesville VA Medical Center staff on November 12.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Criminal Justice, the student-led Nu Beta honor society, the Criminal Justice Student Association, the Student Veterans Group, and NAMI on Campus — uniting academic, mental health, and veteran communities in one shared mission: to move the conversation for veterans beyond gratitude and toward justice.
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