With deep military roots, UF student goes the extra mile for Veterans Week

For University of Florida engineering student Savannah Ogletree, Veterans Day is personal.

“My father was in the Marines, my grandpa was in the Marines, my great grandpa was in the military, my brother is in the Air Force, and my cousin is in the Navy. I am currently in Air Force ROTC at UF,” said Ogletree, a junior majoring in computer science engineering with a minor in fisheries and aquaculture.

This week, she is hosting campus events to celebrate veterans. With no classes on Monday, activities started Tuesday with Coffee with CVS (Collegiate Veterans Success) near the Florida Gym.

Activities continue with a tabling event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday with cornhole and videos at Turlington Hall, a cornhole tournament 5-8 p.m. Thursday on the Reitz Union lawn, passing out pins 8:30-10 a.m. Friday at Emerson Alumni Hall, and a Salute to Veterans at Saturday’s UF/LSU game.

The events will give special focus to student veterans.

Ogletree explains her passion in this Q&A:

Question: What does Veterans Day mean to you?

Answer: Veterans Day means a day to say thanks to all the veterans for the sacrifice they gave for our country. Veterans Day is so important to me because most people go about their day without realizing there are so many people around our country who gave so much and are expected to now live a normal life. Sometimes I wish that everyday could be Veterans Day or that there were more days dedicated to their work. Most of the veterans in our generation fought in World War II, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Guam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and they truly gave the ultimate sacrifice so we could sleep well at night, watch movies with our families, hike with our friends, attend school, and enjoy other things we care about so deeply.

Q: What is the most inspiring story you have heard from a vet on campus?

A: A lady named Frenchie, originally from France, moved to the United States for the past 34 years and joined the US Army as a combat soldier. This is so inspiring because it is also a testament to the United States and what we stand for and how she was even willing to put her life on the line for the country that she was not even born in. She was even willing to put her life on the line for the citizens of the United States to keep us safe. Now she is going back to school with the help of the GI Bill and will be getting a degree in French, a minor in Geology, and certificates in meteorology and anthropology.

Q: What was it like growing up in a multi-generational military family?

A: Growing up in a multigenerational military family was a little different than most military families. My family members were veterans at the time, so it was more of story time and experiences and standards. My father and grandpa always held me to a higher standard to make sure that I was performing my best, getting good grades, and doing the right thing. It was always nice to hear their stories (especially from my grandpa), walk into the house and see photos during their time in a war or on active duty, and ask who the people in the photos were.

Q: Why did you choose Air Force ROTC?

A: First, my brother is in the Air Force, and I wanted to work with him. My brother is 10 years older than I am and enlisted right out of college. We weren’t very close when we were younger due to the large age gap, but we have really grown a lot closer since I have gotten older and joined AFROTC. He has been a huge role model. Getting to see him work with the F35 demo team and Blue Angels and flying all over the country was just so awesome and made me a very proud little sister.

It was also a bonus that he had to salute me when I commissioned into the Air Force.

Secondly, the Air Force has so many opportunities, and it treats their people well. Joining the military is a big commitment.

I love traveling and the Air Force really allows me to do that while also serving my country. I have always wanted to give back to the country that gave so much to me, so this offered the perfect mix.

ROTC sent me to Japan to visit a base, provided an internship at West Point on a military project, and allowed me to meet many lifelong friends – truly one of my best decisions.