After $1.2 million in renovations, an entrance to Youngstown State University is no longer Spring Street. It's now known as Armed Forces Boulevard.
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held Friday, with new banners and flags dedicated to all five branches of the military now lining the road. The entire concept was designed by YSU's Office of Veterans Affairs, which was just created this past spring, and is one of only four in the country specifically designed to help veterans transitioning into college after military service.
"I don't know too many universities, if any, in the nation that has done what Youngstown State has done," said Jim Olive, from the Office of Veteran Affairs.
And that's something that hasn't gone unrecognized by the veterans in attendance at Friday's ceremony, especially someone like Scott Denicholas, a 10-year Army veteran and a current student at YSU.
"I've got chills," said Denicholas as he stood on Armed Forces Blvd. "It brings a lot more to light of what I did. And the pride that you have for doing it? It makes it that much stronger."
Family members and veterans from all five major U.S. conflicts, both World Wars, The Korean and Vietnam Wars, along with the current fight in Iraq, were given a medal of honor for dedication and service.
Making sure that commitment reaches out to a wider audience is what most here hope will happen. "It's so great to do it on the campus," said Sen. Sherrod Brown, the keynote speaker at the event. "Because a lot of young men and women don't think much about the military at that age unless they've joined. They don't think a lot about what the military has done to keep us safe and keep us free."
