SUNY salutes, holds Veterans Day ceremony
SUNY salutes, holds Veterans Day ceremony
OBSERVER Photos by M.J. Stafford The POW/MIA Recognition Table at SUNY Fredonia's 2026 Veterans Remembrance Ceremony.
SUNY Fredonia junior Ava Hartung, a Fredonia native, sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2026 SUNY Fredonia Veterans Remembrance Ceremony.
OBSERVER Photos by M.J. Stafford The POW/MIA Recognition Table at SUNY Fredonia's 2026 Veterans Remembrance Ceremony.
SUNY Fredonia junior Ava Hartung, a Fredonia native, sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2026 SUNY Fredonia Veterans Remembrance Ceremony.
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SUNY Fredonia held its annual Veterans Remembrance Ceremony at the Williams Center.
"Thank you to all veterans and active duty service members for your commitment to our defense of the country," SUNY Fredonia President Stephen Kolison said.
Kolison said he has two nephews currently serving in the military. "I can appreciate very much the sacrifice and commitment it takes to stand up and volunteer to be of service to this great nation," he said.
Expressing his "Deep appreciation," Kolison stated "It takes men and women in uniform to protect these rights and privileges we have."
Ava Hartung, a junior music education major native to Fredonia, sang "The Star Spangled Banner." There was a moment of silence for the services and sacrifice of veterans.
Brandon Drummond, a 15-year reservist and a counselor on campus, emceed the event. He explained the World War I origin of Veterans Day, noting that it will always be on Nov. 11 as the original day honored veterans of that war, which ended Nov. 11, 1918.
Drummond spoke about an annual feature of SUNY Fredonia’s veterans honors, the POW/MIA Recognition Table to his left.
He explained the symbolism of the table. For example, it was set for one to remind of prisoners' loneliness. A red rose was a reminder of families and comrades waiting for their return. A candle was lit, symbolizing the upward reach of their spirit. The glass was inverted "as they can’t toast with us this afternoon."
Jim Metcalf, executive director of the Western New York National VA Cemetery in Pembroke, was keynote speaker.
SUNY Fredonia handed out several scholarships at the event. The awards were as follows:
- The Dr. Greg and Pam Gibbs Scholarship went to Andrew Schilling, a senior chemistry major.
- The Courage and Honor Scholarship recipient was Aaron LoGiudice, a sophomore criminal justice major.
- The Ronald L. and Marilyn M. Denison Scholarship was awarded to Brodie Loftus, a senior majoring in business administration and finance.
- Recipients of Fredonia Veterans Scholarships were Victoria Baran, Luis Arturo Fernandez, Grayce Harvey, Alany Rivera, Ryan Schoonover, Hudson Smith and Diana Whitney.