(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Veterans and Military Resource Center (VMRC) at Ocean County College is pleased to welcome Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nick Lavery to speak at the Grunin Center at 9:30am on Monday, September 11. Lavery will discuss the “Warrior Mindset” philosophy and share his inspirational story of sacrifice, determination and resilience. Admission is free and open to the public.

Lavery is an active-duty member of The United States Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets. In 2013, on his second combat rotation to Afghanistan, he and his Detachment fell victim to an insider attack, ultimately resulting in the loss of his leg. Refusing a military medical retirement, Lavery set his sights on returning to operational status. In 2015, he returned to his Detachment and was subsequently deployed once again to Afghanistan, conducting full-spectrum combat operations and becoming the first Special Forces operator to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee.

A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Lavery will also offer signed copies of his book, “Objective Secure,” to the first 100 attendees.

For more information about this event, contact the VMRC at veterans@ocean.edu.

For more than 50 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that prepare and empower diverse learners to contribute to and succeed in global societies. OCC invests in and fosters academic, economic, and cultural excellence, and ensures financial strength by generating new revenue streams, engaging in national and international university and corporate partnerships, and cultivating a technologically progressive and entrepreneurial spirit.