Kaskaskia College hosted its annual Enduring Freedom Veterans’ Day Celebration on Wednesday. The program began at 9:45 a.m. in the Jane Knight Auditorium with the posting of the colors, military service songs, and remarks by guest speaker Angie Zahn. Zahn is a facilitator of a spousal support group for veterans with PTSD. Angie, alongside her husband, Bob Zahn, a former Army Chief Warrant Officer and Vietnam War veteran, is featured in the film Trauma Comes Home – Hope for the Warrior Family. During her remarks, Zahn told stories of meeting and working with families of veterans. She thanked the students present for attending, hoping that the film would carry a positive message for those who saw it.
“We hope that your takeaway from this is really… that there is an opportunity heal, that there is an opportunity for hope, and that there is an opportunity for peace,” Zahn said. “I really am very grateful for all who came today, in particular for our students. Because patriotism is something we need to talk about. We need to honor our veterans and we need to understand the community.”
Kaskaskia College hosted two free screenings of Trauma Comes Home on Wednesday. On Thursday, the college offers accompanying PTSD training to further support families of veterans with PTSD. The free training aims to equip and empower loved ones of veterans through community support.
The American Flag is presented by the Beckemeyer American Legion Post #1227 Honor Guard.
