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Politics & Government

Dem Commissioner Candidates Propose Help for Student Vets

Shapiro, Richards appear at Montgomery County Community College to outline assistance program.

Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards, the Democratic ticket for majority control of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, appeared at Montgomery County Community College on Wednesday afternoon to propose an assistance and psychological support program for veterans enrolling at the school.

"Almost half of military veterans enrolled in college have contemplated suicide, and almost 20 percent have planned to kill themselves," said Richards, citing a study presented this summer at a conference of the American Psychological Association.

"The transition from the military to college campuses is very challenging for [veterans], which is why a Shapiro-Richards administration wants to do all that we can to help these residents who have served our country so well," Richards said.

Tim Rayburn, 23, an Iraq War veteran, appeared with the candidates to speak about his experience as a veteran returning to school. Rayburn began attending classes in January.

"You find yourself back in the civilian world and you don't know what to do," Rayburn said. "I didn't know if I wanted to further my education or have a career choice in life. I didn't feel important."

The Collegeville native and Perkiomen Valley High School graduate said the pace of civilian life paled to his experiences as a Marines Corps Corporal.

"It was really hard to come back to the school world," Rayburn said. "In Anbar Province in Iraq, I helped plan the daily routes for combat missions. My job was to make sure we were safe. After four years of doing that, you come back to the civilian world and you don't know what to do. There's nothing that intense."

Rayburn said he hopes to eventually become an international diplomat.

"I'm doing two years here, hopefully attending Temple [University] in two more years, and from there hopefully getting my law degree," Rayburn said.

The college currently has a part-time staff member who helps veterans enroll, navigate G.I. Bill tuition funding, and register for classes. The veterans' assistance center would cost about $135,000 to operate, Shapiro said.

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