McGeorge School of Law is proud to unveil a new addition to its campus: a handcrafted bench honoring U.S. military veterans. The bench, which will serve as a lasting tribute to those who have served, was designed and built by Kaine Cameron, a 13-year-old Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 380 in Sacramento.  

The project was supported by Cameron’s “bonus mom,” Rebecca Storer ’27, a U.S. Navy veteran and current McGeorge School of Law student. Storer is the incoming President of the McGeorge Military Law Society and has been a passionate advocate for veterans on campus. Cameron was also inspired and guided throughout the process by his father, an Army veteran, who helped him hone the skills needed to complete the project. 

“We hope the bench will be in a place where everyone can enjoy it,” Cameron said, “and we specifically want to honor our McGeorge veterans.” 

Cameron’s project embodies McGeorge’s commitment to integrity, service, and ethical leadership, core values that guide the law school’s mission and community. As part of his journey to becoming an Eagle Scout, Cameron took full ownership of the initiative, from planning, fundraising, and leading a team of volunteers in construction. The bench features emblems representing all branches of the U.S. military and is intended to be a place of reflection and appreciation for veterans within the McGeorge community. 

Storer’s journey from military service to law school exemplifies the resilience and determination that McGeorge values in its students.  

“When you’re in the military, you don’t really have an option but to continue and do the things that you set out to do,” Storer said. “That mindset has helped in law school quite a bit… once you’ve started, you just have to keep going.” 

Cameron, who developed his woodworking skills in school and at home, led a team of more than 20 volunteers to bring the project to life.  

“[Visitors will] have a place they can relax while they wait… [and] remember the veterans,” he said. 

In 2021, the University of the Pacific added a Military and Veteran Student Center to the Sacramento Campus. The Military and Veteran Student Center is housed on the second floor of the Student Center and focuses on providing resources and support for military serving and veteran students.  

McGeorge has had a Military Law Society for more than 20 years, has dozens of military-serving and veteran alumni, and is a Yellow Ribbon Program Institution.  

McGeorge School of Law hopes to eventually create a Veteran’s Legal Clinic on campus to provide free legal services veterans throughout the greater Sacramento region who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel.