LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – As Red Raiders walk the stage for graduation, some students stand out with a camo-tipped stole and cords recognizing military service.<\/p>\n
Texas Tech\u2019s Military & Veterans Program Director Gracie Guerra says the university began presenting the stole in 2012 to honor veterans and active-duty service members.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir journey is different,\u201d Guerra said. \u201cFor the veteran and the service members, they carry the weight of military service. For the families, it\u2019s sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guerra says she understands that sacrifice firsthand. She was a military spouse for 25 years while her husband served as an Army Ranger, and the family moved 13 times.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor a military spouse, your career gets put on hold because you have to take care of everything while they\u2019re gone away and are in harm\u2019s way,\u201d Guerra said.<\/p>\n
She says that sacrifice can mean missed milestones\u2014birthdays, anniversaries and graduations\u2014making military service a \u201cfamily affair.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guerra also walked the stage herself and received a cord recognizing military spouses, calling it a meaningful moment.<\/p>\n
The program hopes the stole ceremony is just one way to build stronger connections with military-connected students on campus. Guerra says they\u2019re working on more engagement, transition support, career development and community-building\u2014so students know the program exists and can help.<\/p>\n
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