LAFAYETTE, La. — Trees on the UL Lafayette campus sported yellow ribbons on Monday to celebrate National Day of the Deployed.
The ribbons were also wrapped around columns at the university by the Veterans Services Office, Student Veteran Organization, LA Dept of Veteran Affairs, and LA National Guard.
"We're honoring our student soldiers who were recently deployed in the National Guard, as well as any other branches where we might have students deployed nationwide," said Ryan Gonzales, Assistant Director of Veteran Services at UL Lafayette.
Gonzales says that a large group of student-soldiers from local National Guard units have recently deployed to assignments around the world.
The veterans services office is also encouraging the community to get involved.
Yellow ribbons can be tied to trees around homes and businesses and photos shared to social media using the hashtag #DayOfTheDeployed.
Items can also be collected for care packages to be delivered to the student soldiers throughout the year. Veteran Services says that items can be dropped off in Foster Hall Room 114 on the UL Lafayette campus.
Local elementary and high schools are also encouraged to tie yellow ribbons and collect care packages as well as write letters to deployed student veterans.
Possible Care Package items: drink mixes, energy/protein bars, easy snacks, non-chocolate candy, gum, toiletries, baby wipes, sunscreen, downtime activities like puzzles, games, hot sauce, thank you notes, etc
Gonzales says that Louisiana specific items are always a hit in care packages.
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