Purple Heart veterans John Jacobson (Afghanistan), Andrew LePeilbet (Vietnam), Ken Santor (Korean), Leonard Munoz (Vietnam) and Tom Spencer (Vietnam) with WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe at the Purple Heart parking space at WNC on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Western Nevada College became the second college in the Silver State to provide Purple Heart parking spaces.
Korean War veteran and Purple Heart holder Ken Santor received the proclamation from College President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe and Veterans Resource Center Coordinator John Jacobson.
Dalpe said the college has reopened its 10-year-old Resource Center after it was closed by the coronavirus outbreak. The college serves 194 veterans.
“Having someone to lead these efforts, not only for the center itself, for events like today allows WNC to focus on veterans who have served and sacrificed,” Dalpe said. “To all of our active military members, thank you for your service and all of you who have made this ceremony happen to champion our veterans, thank you.”
Jacobson said the college should take every opportunity to appreciate veterans for their service.
“It is the firm belief of Western Nevada College that it is not nearly enough to thank our veterans for their selfless service to this great nation but to accept every opportunity to show them our appreciation with intentional actions,” Jacobson said. “We are dedicated to serving our active military members, veterans and their families to make sure that they can achieve their educational goals. It is with great honor that every year in observance of this achievement, Western Nevada College will recognize Jan. 27 as a day of remembrance in recognition for those who have received the Purple Heart medal.”
Four Purple Heart parking spaces will be available near the Bristlecone Building on the Carson City campus. Reserved parking spaces for Purple Heart veterans on WNC’s Fallon and Douglas campuses are planned as well.
Commander and U.S. Veterans Legislative Council Nevada Chairman Andrew LePeilbet became the first to use the new Purple Heart parking space and was credited by Jacobson for assisting WNC in receiving a Purple Heart College designation. A handful of Purple Heart veterans attended the ceremony.
To learn more about WNC’s Veterans Resource Center, contact Jacobson at 775-445-3301 or john.jacobson@wnc.edu.
