This is always a strange time of the year for Kara Coakley and Kayden Perry. On November 10 they celebrate the birthday of the United States Marine Corps. It's the branch of the service they both served in. Their service brought them together and in 2016 they married. The Marine Corps birthday is always followed by Veterans Day. November 11 is the anniversary of the end of World War I and a day to remember United States veterans and victims of all wars. "We celebrate one day and we're crying the next," said Perry. "Veterans Day is a day when we remember our friends who can't be here to do what we're doing right now. It's a hard day for us," added Coakley.
What Coakley and Perry are doing now is pursuing their associate degrees at Onondaga Community College. Coakley is in the Humanities degree program, Perry is in Architectural Technology. Both had tried college right out of high school but weren't ready to succeed. Perry graduated from Hardin-Jefferson High School in the Houston area in 2009, while Coakley earned her diploma at Baldwinsville High School in 2013.
Coakley's mother was a Marine and she decided to follow in her footsteps shortly after getting out of high school. Perry also came from a family with a military background. His father had been in the Air Force and two uncles had served in the Marines. "I was on my own at 21, working three jobs and struggling. I decided to go into the military so one day it would pay for my college education," he said.
OCC has been the perfect place for both of them. The College has repeatedly earned the prestigious "Military Friendly" designation from GI Jobs Magazine for the way in which it serves Student Veterans. Leading the effort is Steve White who runs the Office of Veterans' Affairs. He's also a Veteran, having served four years in the Marines. "I was nervous to go back to school but when I spoke to Steve he really influenced me. He's the reason I'm here," said Perry. "We literally can not say enough good things about Steve. Without him we would not be here right now," added Coakley.
When Perry was in the Marines he learned how to build things. It sparked his interest in Architectural Technology. Coakley has always wanted to be a historian. Both have built a strong academic foundation for themselves here, earning membership in the College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa.
As they improve their lives through higher education they're also navigating through the emotional roller coaster that is the second week of November. On the 10th it's the birthday of the branch of the military service where they met, followed by Veterans Day. "This day makes me proud of our service and what we accomplished," said Kayden. "We also remember our friends who aren't here and still serving," said Coakley.
Thank you to all of of our Veterans for your service to our country.
