Now VALOR has a week of events planned to observe Veterans Day on Nov. 11. (See list below.)
The activities underscore VALOR’s goals of providing pro bono legal services to area veterans, offering outreach and education and building a community of military-affiliated students and supporters at Carolina Law.
“Students participate in different ways. Some volunteer for pro bono projects, some attend social functions and some use it as a way to make a connection with someone else that shares a similar background,” says Rachel H. Jennings 3L, VALOR president.
In addition to volunteering at pro bono clinics, VALOR students have helped create the intake form for a pending North Carolina Bar Association program to connect veterans to legal services. In Asheville, they’ve established a discharge-upgrade clinic for homeless veterans.
VALOR’s initiatives for this academic year are equally broad: coordinating a mini-symposium on veterans’ issues to be presented during the 2017 Festival of Legal Learning, working with Carolina Law’s new Veterans Legal Assistance Project and planning a Green Zone training for law school faculty and staff to be resources for military-affiliated students.
Another VALOR focus is providing more resources for students interested in a career with the military, as JAG or as a civilian attorney working for the military.
VALOR’s work is particularly timely given the new Military and Veterans Law section of the N.C. Bar, Jennings notes.
“Some of VALOR’s most important work comes in raising awareness within the law school of veterans’ issues,” she says. “By bringing attention to the existence of our military and the legal challenges that service members, veterans and their families face, we hope to encourage future lawyers and leaders across our state to respect and provide support for these populations.”
VALOR also provides support for students who have a military background themselves or a spouse who does. Students can “gain a community within the law school of those who share a similar background or similar challenges,” Jennings says. “VALOR is a place for camaraderie and advice.”
VALOR Veterans Day week events:
All events except the Military Appreciation Luncheon are open to everyone at Carolina Law.
Nov. 7-10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Rotunda: Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to submit a photo or write a sentence about their favorite veteran. VALOR will provide paper and markers and will be collecting photos.
Nov. 7, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Rotunda: Wings for Warriors. VALOR will sell chicken wings as a fundraiser.
Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Marion A. Cowell Boardroom: Military Appreciation Luncheon. Invited to attend:
All students, faculty, and staff who have served in the armed forces or are a military dependent or parents of someone who has.
All students who have already commissioned into JAG.
Select students, faculty, and staff who provide significant support to military and veterans, including the VALOR board.
Select alumni who are veterans.
Select community members who provide significant support to military and veterans’ issues.
Nov. 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Rotunda: VALOR will give out yellow ribbons and treats.
Nov. 10, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Alumni Hall, George Watts Hill Alumni Center: Tar Heel Tribute luncheon for UNC faculty, staff, students and alumni who have served in the armed forces. (Not a VALOR event).
Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), noon: Ceremony at the UNC School of Law flagpole outside the Rotunda, including a wreath laying, student speech, musical performance and moment of silence.
All week as part of a fundraiser for VALOR, students will sell two T-shirt designs (including one with “Go Heels! Go America!”).
-November 2, 2016