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Every year during graduation at Kaskaskia College, VFW Post 2055 honors a student with the Patriotism Award for demonstrating outstanding love for his country. This year, that award was given to Zachary Atchison of Ashley, who graduated with his associate degree in respiratory therapy.   Atchison, who is originally from Centralia spent four years in the US Marines.

Atchison was presented with the award by trustee Jim Beasley. In an interview before the ceremony, Beasley spoke on the significance of the Patriotism Award:

“We as a nation need to recognize service and patriotism whether they’re in service or out of service, because without patriotism this country is dead… We at the college practice patriotism a lot at this school, probably more than the public realizes… The greatest thing, I think, that we can do at this college is recognize patriotism. Nothing else counts if you’re not patriotic because the country falls.”

Chief Information Officer George Kriss spoke ahead of the award presentation, describing how Atchison had shown his patriotism as a part of the community of veterans on campus, his strong sense of duty, and how his character would be an asset in his profession going forward.

“He genuinely strives to deliver the highest quality of care to all patients he encounters… he advocates for his patients to other healthcare professionals and constantly challenges himself to learn more information for the betterment of himself and his patients. His leadership, sense of duty, and consistent pursuit of excellence has been an inspiration to his fellow classmates and will make him an excellent respiratory therapist and member of the healthcare field.

Atchison was one of 270 students to receive a diploma or certificate during Friday graduation at Kaskaskia College.