By Heather Monahan
Assistant Features Editor
Recognizing the men and women who serve our country is important every day. However, with Veteran’s Day on Sunday, Bonaventure alumni who are veterans, as well as students with veteran relatives, encourage the community to take extra time out of their day to be thankful.
Donald Seitz, ’54, was a commissioned second lieutenant.
“I spent two years in the army,” Seitz said. “I went to Fort Sill for three months, and then was sent to Korea.”
Seitz left for Korea from Buffalo with two of his friends from college and high school. While the three were not together in Korea, they returned to Buffalo together after their individual 18 months of service. Seitz said he became a battery commander of “A” Battery, 49th Field Artillery, 7th Army Division.
“We were in a combat team, supporting a battalion of Marine Infantry,” Seitz said.
Before returning home, Seitz was made a First Lieutenant.
Seitz said serving in the army made him proud, but it also showed him how great America is.
“I’m proud to be a veteran and of the experience of my service,” he said. “Living outside the U.S. made me realize what a great country we live in and the convenience of life.”
Current Bonaventure students who have veterans in the family also feel a great sense of pride in their relatives and the duty they’ve carried out for their country.
Junior journalism and mass communication major Alex Ross’ grandfather served in the army during World War II.
“I’m extremely proud to have a veteran in the family,” Ross said. “Especially knowing he stormed Normandy on D-Day.”
Ross said everyone, not only those with veteran relatives, should take Veteran’s Day to thank those who served.
“I think it’s really important to recognize Veteran’s Day,” she said. “I would still feel the same way had my grandpa not served.”
Seitz said he hopes people take time on Veteran’s Day to realize how much the military does for the country and recognize and respect veterans.
“The United States is doing a wonderful job of respecting the common people of the Earth,” he said.
Seitz entered ROTC at Bonaventure so he could still get his college education, but recalls people being drafted out of college because of the Korean War.
“There were close to two dozen Bona graduates serving in Korea,” he said.
Seitz said the skills he used while in Korea were ones he was able to use even after he returned home.
“I had tremendous experience of command, survey, flying and more,” Seitz said. “I’ve used these experiences throughout my civilian life.”
After returning from his time in the army, Seitz attended Syracuse for Law School on the GI Bill, a law which provided veterans tuition to attend school.
“I’m very grateful for my education and feel that I was able to return the tax money to our country in the additional earnings because of my education,” he said.
While Ross said her grandfather doesn’t speak much about his time in the military, she still takes time to thank him every year despite being at school during the holiday.
“I always make sure to call him and wish him a happy Veteran’s Day and thank him for his service to our country,” Ross said. “He is truly an American hero like all of our other veterans and people serving presently.”
Ross said she hopes people respect the country’s veterans more often than just one day out of the year.
“I hope others recognize how important it is to thank veterans for their service, even if it’s just a stranger you see in the grocery store or at a restaurant,” she said. “Not just on Veteran’s Day, but all year.”
