Members of the Daemen University community gathered in the new Foundation 214 Veteran’s Success Center to honor veterans at Daemen, in Western New York, and around the world.
“Veterans Day is a federal holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I,” said Mark Martinez, the director of veteran and family services and an Army veteran. “While the end of World War I is known in history books as the day the Treaty of Versailles was signed, June 28, 1919, fighting ceased seven months earlier when a temporary end to hostilities went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”
“We at Daemen University are immeasurably proud of all veterans, especially those who are part of the Daemen family,” President Gary A. Olson said. “We will continue to find ways to help provide the support they need and deserve.”
Dr. Olson welcomed Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, a retired Navy Rear Admiral and member of Daemen’s Board of Trustees, and Assemblymember Karen McMahon, who served as the keynote speaker.
“As we see the horrors of war around the world from Ukraine to Israel to Gaza, we can thank our military veterans that we on our shores live in peace, safety, and security,” McMahon said.
The assemblymember said she has and will continue to work to ensure veterans and military families receive the support they deserve as they transition back to civilian life.
Dr. Michael Brogan, the executive vice president of academic affairs and provost of the university, echoed that support on behalf of Daemen.
“Our commitment as a university is to provide a new level of support that embraces diversity with high quality, comprehensive veteran services, and programs to help address barriers to academic success,” added Dr. Brogan, an Air Force veteran. “Our plan includes providing substantial support so veterans on campus feel welcome and have access to academic and career advisement, counseling, referrals, mentoring, and coordinated services for mental health counseling and veteran programs. Our veterans have answered the call throughout history and have sacrificed a great deal. It’s now our turn.”
Martinez led a moment of silence to remember those who gave their lives for our country.
“Serving proudly in the military comes with a great deal of sacrifice,” he added. “The best way you can truly thank a veteran is by contacting your state senator and urging them to advocate for our veterans and to make it easier for veterans to gain access to the benefits they’ve fought for and so rightly earned.”
Following the ceremony, special gift bags made on campus and brochures with information on community support resources were offered to veterans of Daemen’s community.
A free lunch was also provided in the campus veterans lounge at the Nancy Haberman Gacioch Center for Veterans, allowing veterans to relax and share a meal.