Trine students, faculty host 1st Veteran’s Day Appreciation Dinner

Students and faculty advisors from Trine University’s Tau Alpha Omicron (TAO) chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA—Lambda Alpha Epsilon) hosted an appreciation dinner for local military veterans and law enforcement officers and their families this past weekend.

Members of the Trine chapter raised funds by sending a group of students to work a weekend at Cedar Point Amusement Park. They chose to utilize part of these funds to host the appreciation dinner as a way of thanking those who have served our country and the local community. Since this was the first time for the event, the students wanted to keep the attendee list to a small number, and were excited to have so many in attendance. 

On Sunday, Nov. 11, TAO members were able to sit down to a dinner in Club Z donated in part by Bon Apettit Management Company and listen to the guests’ experience in the military and or law enforcement. The dinner opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer of thanks for all veterans. Griffin Watson, a sophomore criminal Justice student, shared with guests about the different events and activities in which the TAO chapter has participated. 

The following individuals attended:

1^st Sergeant Brad Kline—Steuben County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy William Lanoue—Steuben County Sheriff’s Office

Trooper Matthew Gillmore—West Virginia State Police

1^st Sergeant Mark Heffelfinger—Indiana State Police

Trooper Aaron Myer—Indiana State Police

Thomas Lothamer—United States Marine Corps veteran

Corporal Kenneth Watson—United States Army and grandfather of Griffin Watson

Myron Wentworth—United States Army

Prof. Michael Hess—former Michigan deputy and former Steuben County Prosecutor

Others who were honored but were called to duty as the dinner began:

Corporal Tony Tribble—Steuben County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy Andrew Amos—Steuben County Sheriff’s Office

More photos from the event are available on SmugMug.

Photos: Top, local veterans and law enforcement officers enjoy a dinner with students and faculty advisors from Trine University's Tau Alpha Omicron (TAO) chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association. The dinner was held Sunday in Club Z inside the MTI Center on the Trine campus. At right, members of Trine University's Tau Alpha Omicron (TAO) chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association hosted a dinner for veterans and law enforcement officers Sunday in Club Z.