Veterans tell stories through photos at MCC

MACOMB COUNTY — Serving in the U.S. Army took Marc Fay from the comforts of his home all the way to Camp Carroll on the Korean Peninsula.

As a motor transport operator, Fay’s many experiences included guarding weapons and hiking to the top of Hill 303 in Waegwan, South Korea, where American prisoners of war were executed in the early days of the Korean War in 1950.

Fay is one of many Macomb Community College veterans whose stories will be on display throughout November at the student centers on the South Campus in Warren and the Center Campus in Clinton Township.

More than 160 photographs and captions contributed by Macomb students and alumni, highlighting their individual military service are on view. The exhibit of the life-size banners coincided with the observance of Veterans Day Nov. 11. In addition, Macomb has an Office of Veteran and Military Services at the South Campus that serves as a primary point of contact for veterans and active service members.

On Nov. 7, an opening reception breakfast with faculty and local veterans was held at the South Campus. According to Macomb President James O. Sawyer IV, two veteran students came up with the idea for the photography display.

“We always like to pause and reflect upon those that have really given so much to us, those that committed to hold up our ideals and provide the freedom to live our lives as we do,” Sawyer said. “It’s really a neat opportunity to hear their stories through the pictures.”

At Macomb, there are 1,650 students who are either veterans, active service members or military dependents. Organizers of the photo exhibit want to accomplish three goals.

“First was to connect with other veterans on campus. The second goal was to try to help civilians understand what the military culture is all about, so they can better understand the veterans and some of the things they’ve been through and some of the challenges they’ve had,” Sawyer said.

“And finally, just to break down some of those stereotypes about veterans. When you look at the different exhibits, you’re going to see some pictures that are really focused on their time in the military,” Sawyer said. “You’re going to see some where they engage their families, as well, showing the whole person. It’s just really a great reflection on the whole person.”

Macomb graduate Isaiah White, who spoke at the breakfast reception, is another veteran whose photos illustrate his military journey. He joined the Army in 2002 and completed four tours in Iraq. The sergeant and combat engineer planned on a 20-year military career but, instead, served 12 years after medically retiring in 2014.

That’s when he enrolled at Macomb. Because he hadn’t been in a classroom in so many years, White was hesitant at first but soon found his footing. He was very dedicated to his studies, eventually earning an associate degree in general studies, an associate of arts degree, and a community leadership certificate.

He and his wife, Tiffani, also a Macomb graduate, lived in Georgia for a year before returning to Michigan. They found their way back to Macomb, and the father of three is currently working part time as a student support navigator at the college. It’s the perfect fit.

“I watch them grow from incoming students to graduation or transferring students,” White said. “I work with a great team. I love what I do. Hopefully, I will be hired full-time. I am working toward that, as well.”

Those at the breakfast reception also had the opportunity to hear from Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency Director Zaneta Adams. Adams, a mother of six children, and her husband, Joseph Adams, are both disabled veterans.

The MVAA encourages veterans to utilize the 800-MICH-VET (642-4838) hotline, which runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“It’s the number you can direct veterans to call,” Adams said. “They can get connected to emergency assistance … financial assistance that is not necessarily a loan, it’s a grant.”

Veterans also can get connected to housing, veteran-friendly schools, employment, post-traumatic stress disorder resources, and more.

“That’s important because there are so many resources,” Adams said.

Suicide prevention is a top priority for the agency.

“Everything we do at the MVAA, we try to consider through the lens of suicide prevention,” Adams said. “If we’re connecting an unemployed veteran to a job, we consider that suicide prevention. If we’re connecting them to a veteran-friendly school, someone who understands what they’re going through, then we consider that suicide prevention. If we’re helping them with their furnace that blew up, we can grant them that money.”

At the end of the reception, the following members of the Vietnam of Veterans Chapter No. 154 — Mike Schneider, Tom Puruleski, Gary Purcell and Dave Rocco — presented all the veterans in attendance with service appreciation medals.

The chapter, based in Clinton Township, has a number of services, including a food pantry for veterans, an honor guard and a speaker’s bureau in which vets speak to middle school and high school students.

Visit vva.org/tag/chapter-154/ for more information on the organization.

The MVAA also recently launched its MI Veteran Connector program. For more information, visit michigan.gov/mvaa.

The Macomb Community College South Campus is located at 14500 E. 12 Mile Road, in Warren. The Center Campus is located at 44575 Garfield Road, in Clinton Township.