Stony Brook University honored veterans and their families at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, held November 8 in the Sidney Gelber Auditorium at the Student Activities Center.
The ceremony, presented by the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services, recognized veterans for the sacrifices they have made out of love and devotion to the country, and featured speakers and groups from across the Stony Brook campus.
The Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band provided the musical introduction and the colors were presented by the university’s ROTC Culper Battalion. Army veteran and SBU junior Eric Mitchell opened the ceremony and classmate In Kang of the Marine Corps sang the National Anthem. Daniel Jones ’23 played Taps, and Reverend Zhe Huang of the Asian Christian Campus Ministry delivered the invocation.
Executive Vice President and Provost Carl Lejuez provided the opening remarks, emphasizing the university’s gratitude to veterans, and in particular, to the more than 200 military-affiliated students currently enrolled at Stony Brook.
Morgan Richter ’23 was the student speaker and a special guest was Valentina Flores of Girl Scout Troop #2614.
Alexander Edward Fucito Jr., a U.S. Navy Veteran, was the keynote speaker for the event. Fucito is an owner and the Vice President of Communi-cate Incorporated, a defense consulting company. Fucito is the government projects program director, providing leadership and oversight to a broad spectrum of classified projects. Fucito retired from the U.S. Navy in 2004 after 22 years of honorable service.
A reception followed the ceremony.
Photos by John Griffin:
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