Veterans Day was this week, and we were proud to celebrate Mizzou’s military community at our annual wreath-laying ceremony at Memorial Student Union.

The campuswide event recognized our many veterans, as well as all who lost their lives in service to our nation, including those commemorated on Memorial Student Union Tower. The ceremony also included remarks from Student Veterans Resource & Support Center Director Nick Lanier, who retired from the Army after 13 years. This was his first Veterans Day at Mizzou since joining our campus in August, and he reflected on how our veteran community is bonded through shared experiences and a commitment to their country.

In connection with Veterans Day, we also hosted oral arguments for the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, a federal court with exclusive jurisdiction over veterans’ issues. It was an incredible opportunity for our veterans and Mizzou Law students to see the court’s work firsthand, and it reflects the national reputation for excellence of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic.

The Veterans Clinic provides free legal representation to veterans for discharge upgrades and VA disability claims. It’s the largest clinic of its kind in the country and offers an unmatched range of programming to serve Missouri’s veteran community.

Since its founding in 2014, Veterans Clinic students and staff have helped secure $178 million in total lifetime benefits for their clients. They’ve also reached more than 2,300 veterans through direct representation and outreach in each Missouri county. The clinic has trained more than 660 attorneys in veterans law and more than 300 Mizzou Law students. The clinic has submitted 28 amicus briefs to federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court.

We’re dedicated to finding solutions for those who served and training the next generation. A great example is our partnership with Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office on the Defenders Program, which helps provide legal advocacy for Missouri veterans.

The impact of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic is undeniable, and it’s one way we make a difference in our veteran community throughout the year, alongside other important resources for military students and their families.

We’re honored to give back to those who have dedicated so much to our state and nation.

— Mun