Guest Speaker: Tegan Griffith
By: Lizzie Babashova
Staff Writer
“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” – Jeff Miller
Anoka-Ramsey hosted special guest speaker Tegan Griffith on Monday, Nov. 7. This is one of numerous events this week intended to celebrate our veterans on campus, in honor of Veteran’s Day on Friday, Nov. 11.
Tegan Griffith – veteran, student and leader – spoke to the students of Anoka-Ramsey, at both campuses, about her experience with integrating back into civilian life after being deployed. She glided through a power point presentation, hitting key points throughout.
Griffith started by talking about her experience in the Marine Corps, the difficulties she faced and the challenges she overcame. She then moved on to how tough it was transitioning back into her civilian life, speaking about feeling as if she had no clear path after coming home. She struggled with her identity, purpose and direction, but found solace within the veteran’s community.
Griffith finished her presentation by talking about the hardships countless veterans deal with as well as the many organizations and programs available, with helping veterans being their only intention.
Griffith served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps as an Aircraft Maintenance Administration Specialist from 2005 to 2009. She deployed to Iraq in 2008 with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 and served as the squadrons Technical Librarian.
She has been active in the veteran’s community through her leadership with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), where she’s made several trips to Washington, D.C. to participate in their annual campaign, Storm the Hill.
Griffith is also a member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Women Marines Association, The American Legion, Team Rubicon and Team Red, White and Blue. She is a full time student at University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, where she serves as the Chief of Staff at the UWSP Student Government Association.
Tegan Griffith does much of her work with the veteran community through Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). For more information about her work with IAVA visit: http://iava.org/people/tegan-griffith/