What Happens Here Matters
Hats off to Veterans
On January 15, 2007 Good Morning America tipped its hat to Manhattanville's My Soldier program. Hats Off to Veterans, a new initiative by the Manhattanville My Soldier program asks participants to send a heartfelt greeting of respect to a veteran. The program aims to provide recognition to Veterans, especially for those home or hospital bound due to injury while serving our country.
While the regular My Soldier program attempts to foster a one on one pen-pal relationship, with a deployed soldier, Hats off to Veterans encourages honors and affirms the sacrifices of veterans. My Soldier program coordinators created the program after they recognized that hospitalized Veterans, like deployed soldiers, are prone to experiencing isolation and depression. Hats off to Veterans is a simple way to provide some cheer and gratitude for a veteran's sacrifice to our country.
The History of My Soldier
Active U.S. Army Sergeant Juan Salas, a naturalized US citizen originally from Venezuela, served for almost two years in Iraq, where he saw active combat duty and was commended for his part in saving the life of a child.
His mission was to "win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people." "It was long," says Salas. "But the thing that kept me going was getting letters. From kids, boy scouts, students. A letter was like a piece of gold. Something you will keep for the rest of your life." When he got back to Manhattanville College, he wanted to help his fellow soldiers still serving overseas.
He brought this idea to Manhattanville College President Richard A. Berman and college administrator Anne Gold, who were determined to find a way for Manhattanville to help. Together, and with the help of other students and Manhattanville staff, Salas and Berman devised My Soldier. Since its launch on Veteran's Day, 2004, more than 350,000 civilians have signed up to adopt 175,000 soldiers. And Juan was a grand-prize winner in the Dr. Pepper "Pepper Your Community" contest. Thanks to people throughout the country who voted for My Soldier and Juan, $23,000 will be donated in his name to Manhattanville My Soldier. Hats off to Juan and My Soldier!