In Cumberland County and throughout our region, military service is woven into the fabric of our community. At Fayetteville Technical Community College, we are privileged to serve the men and women who wear our nation's uniform, the veterans who have honorably served, and the military spouses and dependents who make sacrifices alongside them. As we recognize Veterans Month, we celebrate not only their service, but also the enduring partnership between Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fort Bragg that helps strengthen our military community every day.

Veterans Month provides an opportunity for our college and community to pause and express gratitude for those who have answered the call to serve our nation. Throughout November, FTCC will host and participate in a variety of programs that honor veterans, active-duty service members, and military families. From the Military & Veterans Day Parade in downtown Fayetteville to special ceremonies, panel discussions, artistic tributes, and community events, these activities reflect our deep appreciation for those who defend our freedoms and the families who stand beside them.

The monthlong observance reflects FTCC’s commitment to a community with deep military ties. It also highlights the college’s comprehensive support for military-affiliated students as they pursue academic credentials, prepare for new careers, and transition from military service to civilian employment.

The national observance has its roots in a 2016 presidential proclamation designating November as Military Family Month. The proclamation recognized the courage of those who serve, and the spouses, children and parents who sustain them through deployments, relocations, and other demands of military life.

Among the scheduled activities is the Military & Veterans Day Parade, set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 7, downtown Fayetteville. FTCC will also host a moderated panel discussion featuring military-affiliated students, faculty, and staff. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served during the week of Nov. 9.

The college will participate in the Blue Star Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony at North Carolina Veterans Park on November 11, where retired U.S. Army Col. Edna Cummings will serve as guest speaker. Additional events include “Through Their Eyes,” a veterans art showcase and reception at FTCC’s Paul H. Thompson Library on November 12.

The observance will conclude with FTCC serving as a presenting host of the film “We Lift Each Other” at the Cameo Art House Theatre in downtown Fayetteville.

While Veterans Month is an important time of recognition, our commitment to military-affiliated students extends far beyond a single month. It is a commitment that is reflected every day through our partnership with Fort Bragg and by the support systems we have intentionally built to help military students succeed academically, professionally, and personally.

FTCC is proud to be consistently recognized among the nation's premier institutions serving military-connected students. Military Times consistently ranks FTCC among the top ten large colleges in America that achieves the Military Friendly and Military Spouse Friendly designations. These honors are meaningful because they reflect the quality of service we provide to the approximately 3,500 to 4,000 active-duty service members, veterans, and military dependents who enroll at FTCC during the fall and spring semesters.

Our commitment begins where many military students live and work. Through the Fort Bragg Education Service Center and our educational presence on post, FTCC provides convenient access to academic advising, enrollment assistance, career counseling, military education benefits support, and workforce training opportunities. Our staff understands the unique demands of military life because many of them have served in uniform themselves. They understand deployments, Permanent Change of Station orders, and the challenges military families face while pursuing educational goals.

On our main campus, the All-American Veterans Center serves as a hub of support for veterans and military-connected students. More than simply an office, it is a place where students can find guidance, encouragement, a sense of community, and a safe space to relax, complete assignments or participate in sessions offered by community organizations that assist military personnel and their families. The center connects students with specialized advisors, veterans' benefits specialists, academic resources, and career services designed specifically to meet the needs of military-affiliated learners.

The college's mission is not simply to help students enroll. It is to help them succeed by becoming Future Ready. For active-duty service members preparing to transition from military service, FTCC offers programs and pathways that translate military experience into civilian career opportunities. Through initiatives such as Transition Tech, SkillBridge partnerships, workforce credentials, and career readiness programs, soldiers can gain industry-recognized certifications, sharpen interview skills, and prepare for meaningful employment before they leave active duty.

Military occupational training often provides exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills. FTCC works to ensure that prior military learning is recognized whenever possible through credit for military training and Military Occupational Specialty degree pathways. These efforts help students accelerate their educational journey while building upon the knowledge and experience they have already gained through service.

Military spouses and dependents also remain a priority. Frequent relocations and family responsibilities can create obstacles to educational attainment and career advancement. Through flexible learning options, online and accelerated programs, Department of Defense scholarship opportunities such as SpouseWorks, and dedicated support services, FTCC strives to ensure that military spouses and family members have access to pathways that help them achieve their personal and professional goals regardless of where military service may take them.

Our relationship with Fort Bragg extends beyond education. Together, we work to strengthen the regional workforce, support economic development, and ensure that soldiers and their families have opportunities to thrive both during and after military service. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparing talented individuals for leadership roles in our communities and in the civilian workforce.

As we celebrate Veterans Month, we are reminded that service to our nation does not end when a military career concludes. Veterans continue to contribute as business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare professionals, first responders, and engaged citizens. FTCC is honored to play a role in helping them continue their mission through education and workforce development.

We are proud of the thousands of military-connected students who choose FTCC each year. We are grateful for the trust that Fort Bragg places in our institution. Most importantly, we are thankful for the sacrifices made by America's service member heroes and their families.

Veterans Month gives us an opportunity to say "thank you," but our appreciation is demonstrated year-round through action. Every day, FTCC remains committed to ensuring that those who have served, those who currently serve, and the families who support them have access to the education, training, and opportunities they deserve.

That commitment is not only a reflection of our mission as a college. It is our responsibility to those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our nation and preserving the freedoms we all enjoy.