PASCO, Wash. — An Army dress uniform hangs in Jason Schlegel’s office at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.
The uniform belonged to Schlegel’s grandfather, who served during the Vietnam War and later retired after a career in the service.
The same career he loved led to his death, Schlegel said. He died after multiple battles with cancer caused by Agent Orange.
The story of Schlegel’s grandfather is the same for many service members returning to civilian life.
“War isn’t just in the combat zone or the area of conflict,” he said. “It literally travels with people a lifetime.”
Schlegel, 37, veterans’ services director at Columbia Basin College, is one of nine people and organizations recognized in 2016 for their service to veterans by the state Department of Veterans Affairs and the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.
An Army veteran himself, Schlegel received the award November 5 at Auburn’s annual Veterans Day parade.
Before the college created the Veterans Education and Transition Services center in 2013, Schlegel said vets had a small lounge without any consistent services available. Now they have access to computer stations, a clinical psychologist and other services.
“The college worked really hard to get a dedicated space,” he said. “We try to meet the needs of all vets … It’s intended to be a welcoming place.”
