Georgia State is proud to honor three U.S. military veterans at Saturday's 9-11 Patriots Day game at the Georgia Dome.
Through its partnership with the Atlanta Center For Self Sufficiency (ACSS), Georgia State will welcome a trio to participate in the national anthem ceremonies for the 1 p.m. game, just the second in GSU's history.
Beth Clifton, an Air Force veteran, Jeremy Stone, a former Navy Seabee and Reggie Robinson, an Army veteran, will each be recognized Saturday for their efforts and accomplishments.
The ACSS is a non-profit with a mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness by enabling individuals to transform their lives through earned income and benefits.
Beth Clifton served her country in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s. In her role as a medic, Clifton saw some of the horrors of war. When she returned stateside, she suffered from an untreated and undiagnosed case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Treating her pain in desperation with alcohol, she found herself unable to hold a job. Back on her feet again with the support of the ACSS, Beth is pursuing a college degree in nursing science to become an instructor.
Jeremy Stone proudly served as a Navy Seabee. That unit is a construction battalion that builds military bases, hospitals, airports and runways, and other needed functions for military during war times. Working through the ACSS Clean Street Team, Jeremy is in school studying to receive his AA degree as an X-Ray Technician.
Reggie Robinson, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., served in the Marine Corps, fighting during the Viet Nam war. That chilling experience left him with undiagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the inability to fit back into society and hold a job until he finally began receiving professional help. A member of the ACSS Clean Street Team, Reggie is working in cleaning services and products focusing being a think green consultant.
On an average, there are 100,000 homeless veterans every night in the 50 states. The stress and trauma of military combat is a burden for them that causes disorders that hamper their ability to fit back into a working society and its pressures.
The President/CEO of ACSS is Charles R. Edwards, a former assistant dean for corporate relations at the GSU J. Mack Robinson College of Business.
On the 9-11 Patriots Day game vs. Lambuth on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Georgia Dome, military and 1st Responders will be saluted and special ticket offers are available to them.
The halftime show will be a patriotic salute.
