UPDATE 10/11/20 – Story was updated with additional information
The event began with a presentation of colors, followed by the national anthem and prayer. The attendees bounced their eyes back and forth across the screen, others choosing to bow their heads while some choose to stand in honor of those who served.
Dustin Glover, a Citrus alumni, was the keynote speaker in Citrus College’s virtual Saluting our Veterans event Nov. 9 honoring those who served. David Rodriguez, a Citrus academic counselor and Anthony Ball, an Azusa Pacific graduate, were featured honorees.
Rodriguez served in the U.S. Air Force and when he returned home pursued higher education at California State Polytechnic University and earned his master’s at the University of La Verne. He found his desire to become an academic counselor due to the impact counselors had on him and the value of having that guide. Rodriguez works as an academic counselor for Citrus College.
Ball, Azusa Pacific’s honoree, served in the U.S. Army. He served a tour in Iraq as well as a tour in Afghanistan.
Glover joined the Marines in 2012 and said when he returned home there was a two-year period where he had no direction. He ended up at Citrus College due to friends telling him the pleasant experience they had.
Glover graduated from Citrus. He said being a part of the Veterans Success Center made him become the person he is today. He found real joy in helping those like him find their way and even offered his help to those contemplating suicide.
Glover said service taught him to appreciate the small victories in life and that things could always be worse— he could be in 120-degree heat or in the freezing cold with nothing.
Superintendent/President Dr. Geraldine M. Perri acknowledged the differences in this year’s event being at home, however said the school was still able to offer a majority of the Citrus College veteran services. While addressing our veterans Perri said, “You are America’s backbone.”
