 Veterans Scholarship Fund established, with memorial list. Read more>> |
SUNY Fredonia’s Office of Veterans Affairs, together with the departments of Environmental Health and Safety, Human Resources, and Public Relations, held a memorial service for U.S. veterans on Nov. 10 in honor of Veteran’s Day.
Believed to be the first such event at Fredonia, the ceremony and reception took place in the new Horizon Room of the Williams Center.
The event provided a forum through which the university and surrounding community could gather to remember, honor and show their gratitude to the countless men and women who have served our country through the many branches of the armed forces, many of whom play a direct role within the campus community.
At SUNY Fredonia alone, 34 student veterans are currently enrolled who have provided 153 years of cumulative military service. In addition, the university employs 71 veterans who have provided 1,030 years of campus service, as well as five Faculty Student Association (FSA) employees who represent an additional 95 years of service. All major military branches are represented in some fashion within the SUNY Fredonia community.
President Dennis L. Hefner led the service, with support from Benjamin Hartung and the Office of Veterans Affairs. The Dunkirk High School Junior ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) cadets conducted a flagraising ceremony, and Fredonia School of Music voice major Justin Staebell, a senior from Orchard Park, N.Y., sang the “Star Spangled Banner.”
“This was an excellent idea and one that was overdue,” said Director of Public Relations Michael Barone. “It was a pleasure to support our Office of Veterans Affairs in creating an event that was not only well attended, but which we hope will develop into an annual occurrence.”
The event has also sparked an interest in establishing a veterans’ scholarship fund, which the Division of University Advancement is working to establish with the offices of Veterans Affairs and Human Resources.
“What a wonderful way to honor our valuable veterans,” said Director of Human Resources Michael Daley. “There’s no question that the recent war in Iraq has heightened our society’s sensitivity and appreciation of those men and women who serve in the armed forces, and we look forward to creating a meaningful method of thanking and aiding them as they take on a new phase of their lives.”
