Stony Brook University hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor current and past veterans on Monday, Nov. 11 in the Student Activities Center (SAC) Auditorium. 

The ceremony began with the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band performing songs from the six different military branches. Veterans in attendance stood up during the performance of their respective branch’s song. 

Following the band’s performance, Victoria Ralston, the co-host of the event and a senior majoring in psychology, gave the opening speech where she highlighted her personal experiences of being part of a military family. 

“My father is an active duty naval officer currently serving … His career and military lifestyle has [given me] a life of constant movement, adjustment and personal growth,” Ralston said. 

Ralston also expressed her gratitude to the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services for allowing her to be a part of a cause that supports the military community.

After her speech, students in the Culper Battalion — a unit of the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps at Hofstra University — performed the Presentation of Colors, which presented the American flag and  marked the observance of Veteran’s Day. Jennifer Lucas, a retired Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, performed the National Anthem after the Presentation of Colors. 

Ralston then introduced Rabbi Joseph Topek, the Jewish Chaplain of the University and Long Island State Veterans Home, who held a prayer. 

“God of peace and justice, we ask your blessing upon our country on this Veterans Day [to] help us to be true to the sacred values of liberty that our Citizen Army has bravely defended for 248 years. Protect those who currently serve in our armed forces, both at home and abroad, as they face death and injury every day, so that we can enjoy the freedom we so deeply cherish,” Topek said.

After the prayer, Ralston introduced Stony Brook’s Vice President for Enterprise Risk Management, Lawrence Zacarese. Zacarese gave a brief speech and shared his personal account of having family members who served or who are currently serving. 

He shared that his grandfather was a World War Two veteran in the U.S. Army, his father was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force deployed for the Vietnam War and his middle son has followed in their footsteps by serving in the U.S. Navy.

“It is an absolute privilege to be able to come here today [to] speak and introduce our [University Interim] President. I just want to acknowledge all the veterans that are here and Long Island State Veterans [for] being able to join us today and thank you all for your service,” Zacarese said. 

Zacarese then introduced Interim President Richard L. McCormick, who acknowledged all of the veterans who have served the U.S. McCormick emphasized that people are grateful for veterans everyday, but on this special day, it serves as an opportunity to show their appreciation. 

“It is an honor to recognize all the men and women in our military, especially those from the Stony Brook community — many of whom are with us this afternoon,” McCormick said. “Whether you served in the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force or the Coast Guard, thank you for protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.”  

McCormick shared how the University is able to give back to those a part of the veteran community through the Office of Military and Student Services. This office serves more than 200 students. He specifically commended  Eric Mitchell, an army veteran and a senior majoring in psychology, for the work he has done at the University. 

“He stands today for all of our student veterans. … Eric knows the value of a strong support network. He’s contributing to that network [by] helping student[s] access resources they may not have been aware of,” McCormick said. 

Ralston then introduced her co-host Jamie Ford, a senior majoring in marine vertebrate biology, who shared her personal account as being part of a military family. 

Ford shared that her dad has served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years. His service began in 1991 when he was deployed to South Korea for two years. Ford didn’t meet her dad until she was three months old, as he was still deployed in Iraq when she was born.

“I am happy that I have been able to assist so many men and women who have served in the Armed Forces and the dependents who have sacrificed time with their loved ones while they are overseas,” Ford said. “I’m proud to be part of our University’s vibrant military community every day and I’m especially honored to represent military children and families on this Veterans Day.” 

Ford then introduced this year’s student speaker who has previously served: Jonah Torres, a senior majoring in electrical engineering. She highlighted Torres’ accomplishments, including serving as the vice president of the Veteran Student Organization and the vice president of the University’s chapter of the SALUTE Honor Society.

Torres shared his interest in the military began when he was in eighth grade, and he was initially discouraged by his parents and school counselors to join one of the six branches. Despite their resistance, he joined the Marine Corps at the age of 18 years old and shared his rigorous 13-week-long training, where he built friendships with other trainees.

Torres then continued by explaining his current studies and what it means to him. He relates the feeling of pursuing areas in electrical engineering as a similar connection to when he joined the military.

“My academic pursuits at Stony Brook have solidified my interest in conducting lab work and contributing to growing bodies of engineering research,” Torres said. “Just like when I joined the Marine Corps, I want to be part of something bigger than myself.”

Richard V. Acritelli, the keynote speaker who served in the U.S. Air Force and Army, gave a speech focused on militaristic history. 

“God bless the United States, our military veterans, and Stony Brook University for taking young [men such as] myself and providing [them] with the important foundations of teaching and research that [I] have used over the last 26 years to ensure that our local veterans are properly remembered,” Acritelli said. 

Ford finished the ceremony by thanking the participants and everyone who contributed to the event, with a final thanks to veterans who were recognized by wearing flower corsages.

“Most importantly, a special thank you to our veterans whose sacrifices and service to our country make this day possible. Those individuals [with a corsage] include distinguished veterans from the Long Island State Veterans Home,” Ford said. “We are deeply grateful for your courage, dedication and service.”