BY ANTHONY DASILVA, STAFF WRITER
Veterans Day was yesterday and because of that the Veteran Services Office is holding several events this month.
“These events are being held to show veterans come from more than just battlefields,” said Frank Morales, director of the Military Aligned Students Program.
There are many people in the community that are veterans that people don’t even know. On campus there are 12 veterans and with the online programs included there will be 48 veterans at St. Bonaventure University.
The Military Alliance Students program is also a huge part in helping many people and students at Bonaventure.
“We also help children and spouses of Veterans; help them understand how to use their benefits like the veterans lounge and academic center to help them be successful.” said Morales.
This program is beneficial to many veteran students. The program has also helped many students get into St. Bonaventure. The Lion-Hearted Project, a Veterans Day event held last week, was a 24-minute video of the events and craziness veterans have been through.
“This video puts nonveterans in the shoes of veterans,” said Morales.
After the video played, four veterans were brought in that are now living successful lives.
Morales said the purpose of bringing veterans in was to show what these veterans have experienced, and now look at what these veterans are doing now.
The Veterans Day Memorial service, which occurred yesterday near the Veterans Memorial, was composed of many different events.
“We have a guest speaker that is a retired veteran, and a cadet who plays the bagpipes. After the event there will be food upstairs in the Veterans Lounge for anyone,” said Morales.
There will also be retired veterans in the lounge that any student may talk to.
The two remaining veteran events are the “Lady Valor” Documentary and a talk with guest speaker Kristin Beck. “Lady Valor” is about a Navy Seal who spent 20 years in service with 13 deployments in total and one life-changing decision. The documentary will be held in the Veterans Lounge, which is in the upstairs of the Reilly Center, at 6:30 on November 15. The Lady Valor guest speaker will be Kristin Beck, who was a Navy SEAL, will share her inspirational stories and her new mission for fighting for equality. This will be held November 17, in the Murphy auditorium at 6:30.
Veterans Day is an important holiday for everyone to celebrate, according to Braden Reaska, a freshman psychology major.
“It is important that we celebrate and honor all those who served,” said Reaska.
It is also important to know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. According to Hailey Hilfiger, a freshman philosophy major, the distinction is something people don’t always understand.
“Memorial Day is honoring those who died while serving, and Veterans Day is honoring everyone who were part of the military,” said Hilfiger.
The events this month are for Veterans Day and Memorial Day events will be held in May.
dasilvaf21@bonaventure.edu
