Danny Makowsky never used his gas mask for anything but U.S. Air Force drills.
But Monday, the UF business management master’s student used it on the Library West breezeway to educate students about student veterans.
"A lot of people don’t realize the size of veterans on campus," Makowsky, 30, said. "They’ve probably never seen a real-life rucksack."
The Student Government Veteran’s Affairs Cabinet and Freshman Leadership Council held Heroes of UF for the first time to recognize the about 1,000 student veterans on campus. The event served to commemorate Veterans Day, and students wrote letters to soldiers overseas, pinned American flag brooches to their shirts and watched an ROTC student twirl his rifle.
The Veterans Walk, where about 350 students interacted with veterans like Makowsky, was moved from the Plaza of the Americas to the breezeway to shelter the student veterans’ souvenirs from the rain. The walk will continue today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FLC decided to hold the Heroes of UF event to highlight the student veterans on campus, said FLC Chairman Ali Kassam, 21. About 100 students attended the event, which cost the SG Cabinet about $700.
"We actually just saw a great niche on campus," the UF marketing senior said.
Steven Martinez, a UF sociology junior and member of the National Guard, helped students shrug on heavy camouflage jackets. He showed how to use gas-mask filters, which were lined with charcoal to protect soldiers against poisonous gases.
The 22-year-old also showed students his favorite item from his service in the guard: a medal for excellence, which he earned by ensuring the safety of millions of dollars of equipment at the Guard’s Jacksonville office.
Megan Ekstrom, a UF nursing sophomore, enjoyed looking at the memorabilia. She said she hadn’t known how many veterans were on campus before.
She said she thinks the event will educate students about the UF veteran community’s service.
"I’m more grateful for my (veteran) community in Gainesville," the 19-year-old said.
Alligator contributing writer Victoria Todd contributed to this report.
Contact Caitlin Ostroff at costroff@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @ceostroff
