It has been over a year ago when the DePaul Student Veterans Union cut the ribbon for their new veterans lounge on October 1. 2018, and the lounge has continued to receive engagement with the veterans community of DePaul. Matthew Sanchez, the vice president of the Student Veteran Union and a liaison indicates how that the lounge continues to be a space for volunteers to be involved and to build community.

"It has been awesome. We have veterans who use this space. People who are unfamiliar with the lounge peep their heads in and take a look. Someone told me (the veterans lounge) has one of the highest user rates in DePaul. I think it is very cool and believable and it is a great tool." Sanchez said.

As a way to celebrate Veterans Day, the DePaul Student Veterans Union hosted a variety of events to recognize and celebrate Veterans within the DePaul community. A luncheon and a coffee and donuts with a Veteran was some of the many ways DePaul helped in celebrating Veterans Day. Sanchez served as the event organizer for coffee and doughnuts with a veteran on Nov. 4. The event is a way to talk with students talk with students and faculty about the Veterans on campus and raise awareness of Veterans Day. He mentions how a lot of students are not aware that DePaul University has the highest population of Veteran students in the Chicagoland area and how many students, faculty, and staff know someone or is related to someone who is a Veteran.A luncheon with the DePaul community was hosted on Nov. 6 in the Loop student center. Megan Giedraitis, Assistant Director of the Veteran & Commuter Student affairs gave an opening speech. Abdul-Malik Ryan, Assistant Director of Religious Diversity and Pastoral Care also spoke. Other speakers included Jim Rohde of the US Army and Sanchez.

Senior George Murad who is a member of the Students Veterans Union is studying management and information systems who is an active member in the Veterans community.

"The Veterans Lounge is the center of gravity for DePaul's Veterans community. We have a student who graduated and comes in sometimes and talks to people and hangout. This shows you how much the lounge does for a lot of Veterans because it makes them feel like they are at home again," Murad said.

A link to the original article is found here: http://fourteeneastmag.com/index.php/2019/12/06/veterans-community-at-depaul-continues-to-engage-with-their-lounge-to-foster-relationships/