Derek Blumke was born and raised in Alanson, Michigan. He joined the U.S. Air Force and had multiple overseas deployments since 9/11 (in the Afghan Theater). He had six years of active duty and eventually left the Air Force to attend college in his home state of Michigan.
It quickly became apparent to this young man with the wide grin, that going to college as a returning vet was nothing like attending as a fresh-faced eighteen year old.
Many of the challenges faced by the fast growing group pf men and women returning from war to gain an education, were faced by Derek - older, out of touch, coming from a highly structured, regimented organization where group is above individual, to a campus where freedom and individualism is paramount. Derek Blumke felt isolated; indeed, who wouldn't. He had several choices. He could hunker down, get through school, and build a career. He could isolate further, take up drinking and/or drugging. He could forget his six years of selfless service and join the eighteen-year olds. But, Derek chose something different.
Reading in a magazine about other returning vets, Derek decided he was not alone and he began The Student Veteran Association at University of Michigan http://sitemaker.umich.edu/svaum/home The organization holds regular meetings for socializing, and advocates for Student Veterans. Not content with making a difference at one major university, Blumke began to network and eventually had a part to play in the formation of Student Veterans of America.
Derek Blumke personifies what each person on the planet has the ability to do - when faced with a problem, you have the choice to change the problem and solve it, ignore it, or complain.
Action Taken: The ability to take a problem and turn it into a solution for the greater good.
You can read more about Derek Blumke at www.newleaderscouncil.org/40under40/winners/2010
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