I AM UAA: Salute to UAA's veterans

Thank you to our veterans for your willingness to serve. We're honored to have you as part of our university community. In honor of Veterans Day, we have a sampling of some past UAA veteran stories:

Everyone knows retired fighter pilot Chancellor Tom Case. Or do you? Check out his story.

Walter Jensen is a U.S. Army vet on the pre-med track. He has a few good "what to say" and "what not to say" tips for those of you trying to befriend a veteran.

Nursing student Amanda Marr is a bear-hunting U.S. Army veteran, a wife, mother and a fallen soldier widow. Her story of grit, determination and persistence will inspire you.

Col. Jeffery Roach started his academic path at Mat-Su College and now maintains dual careers in the Alaska Army National Guard and the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

Rocky Capozzi directs UAA's Aviation Technology program. He served alongside Chancellor Tom Case in the U.S. Air Force and continues to indulge his love of flying piloting his Cessna 172 when he's not busy showing the next generation of pilots-to-be how things are done.

A commission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launched Chris Turletes's engineering career. Now he's ushering in a new generation of high-tech buildings at UAA as the associate vice chancellor for facilities and campus services.

Another engineer, newly-minted alumnus Tim Kirk, served in the U.S. Navy before coming to UAA and was burning rubber as captain of UAA's mini Baja car for the Society of Automotive Engineers competition last year.