Clemson, South Carolina – This Veterans Day, na time wey we go shine spotlight on one kind special veteran, First Lt. Wesley Meno. E be senior civil engineering student for Clemson University, and him life dey interesting because of him four-year-old golden retriever, Brooks, wey dey follow am everywhere (yes oh, no be only human wey dey enjoy companionship).
Every year for Clemson, dem dey celebrate beta veterans wey don serve this our fine nation. Dis year, dem pick 1Lt. Meno to represent. E no be just any kind fellow; dis guy don carry plenty strong experiences enter di school. Before he come enter campus, he don do small work for U.S. Army as second lieutenant after e finish public relations degree from Augusta State University. Na serious level, my people!
After he go through Armor School for Fort Benning, Georgia, Meno serve as reconnaissance platoon leader for C Troop, 8th Squadron at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for Washington. Na him time for Kandahar City, Afghanistan, from 2012 to 2013 wey be the peak of him military career (shout out to all our veterans, dem dey carry plenty burden wey we no fit see).
Once him don come back, he join the commanding general’s personal staff for 7th Infantry Division Headquarters, but later, e conclude him active duty for 2015. Na as he don become Clemson Tiger now, he dey channel di discipline wey e gather into him academics, all because e want be professional engineering consultant for geotechnical and stormwater engineering (no pressure, abi?).
And no forget say, he get sidekick wey dey always dey by him side – Brooks. According to Meno, “He’s great with people and will play fetch all day if possible; he’s spoiled rotten and popular with the ladies.” Chai! Dis dog don sabi how to gree flex. E no just be normal dog; Brooks na trained service animal wey dey help Meno deal with post-traumatic stress triggers. If you see dem together, you go sabi say na real bond dey between dem.
For Meno, Veterans Day no be just another day; e mean serious things. “It’s an important day to recognize the small percentage of the population that gave so much of themselves in service of country and community,” he talk. Na true talk wey e talk o, because na dem small group wey dey carry our security for head.
The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine dey proud to honor 1Lt. Meno, Brooks, and all di veterans wey dey part of di Clemson Family and beyond. Their service and sacrifice no be small matter, and e show say di university dey committed to supporting people wey serve, creating community wey dey full of care, respect and belonging for every Tiger (after all, who no wan be part of dis family?).
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