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The Office of Veterans Services hosts ceremonies on both New Jersey campuses.

Student veterans painted and decorated Reuter’s rock for the celebration.
Student veterans painted and decorated Reuter’s rock for the celebration. Photo by Scott Giglio.

Nov. 12, 2019 — In 1918, at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, World War I came to an end. November 11 is still celebrated 101 years later as Veterans Day, honoring the brave soldiers who have served the nation. Fairleigh Dickinson University celebrated this year’s Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, with ceremonies on both the Florham and Metropolitan Campuses.

At the Florham Campus, the Student Veterans Association painted Reuter’s Rock on Sunday, Nov. 10, before a flag-raising ceremony on Veterans Day. Joel Adams, Army veteran and graduate student, delivered the keynote address.

Graduate student veteran Joel Adams delivers the keynote address at the Florham Campus Veterans Day ceremony.
Graduate student veteran Joel Adams delivers the keynote address at the Florham Campus Veterans Day ceremony. Photo by Scott Giglio.

At the Metropolitan Campus, a ceremony was held outside of Dickinson Hall. Christopher Putnam, marine veteran and president of the Student Veteran Association (SVA), Joel Trella, Navy veteran and adjunct professor, and Steve Nelson, Air Force veteran and campus executive, spoke about their experiences. Additionally, the SVA and the Office of the Campus Executive hosted a Patriotic Art Contest. The winning piece will earn a $500 scholarship for tuition, and the artwork will be displayed in Dickinson Hall.

SVA president Christopher Putnam speaks at the Metropolitan Campus Veterans Day ceremony
SVA president Christopher Putnam speaks at the Metropolitan Campus Veterans Day ceremony. Photo by Sara Campione.

Both campus ceremonies encouraged attendees to write thank-you notes to veterans on large banners and plant flags in their honor. The Wallach Veterans Lounge at the Florham Campus and the Office of Veterans Services at the Metropolitan Campus each hosted open houses to finish the day of celebrations.

Metropolitan Campus Veterans Day ceremony attendees plant flags to honor veterans.
Metropolitan Campus Veterans Day ceremony attendees plant flags to honor veterans. Photo by Sara Campione.
From left: Joel Trella (adjunct professor and veteran), Martha Papson Garcia (director of veterans services for outreach), and Steven Nelson (Metropolitan campus executive and veteran).
From left: Joel Trella (adjunct professor and veteran), Martha Papson Garcia (director of veterans services for outreach), and Steven Nelson (Metropolitan campus executive and veteran). Photo by Sara Campione.