Donned in green, in support of the “greenlight a vet” initiative, Dr. Carol Ross-Scott, Vice President for Student Development & Chief Diversity Officer, welcomed the campus community to the annual Veterans Day observance ceremony on November 11, 2021. 

SUNY Broome student, Jordan Hurlburt, sang an a cappella rendition of the national anthem.

Faculty, staff, students, and alumni gathered around the Veterans Monument on campus to participate in the ceremony, which featured a procession by the Broome County Veterans Memorial Association Color Guard, a sobering performance of “Taps,” and a beautiful rendition of the national anthem performed by SUNY Broome student, Jordan Hurlburt. 

Dr. Ross-Scott was joined by special guests including Senator Fred Akshar, Karen M. Beebe, Broome County Legislator District 12, and SUNY Broome alum, Jacques Doyle ‘55, veteran of the Korean War (1950-1953). 

Karen M. Beebe, Broome County Legislator District 12, held back tears as she spoke about her father, a Vietnam War veteran.

After expressing a collective “thank you” to all of the veterans on campus, as well as to those around the nation, Dr. Ross-Scott shared some vignettes about the men and women in her life who served our country.

“While I am personally not a veteran, my world was shaped by many individuals who served their country and by those who loved and supported them during their service,” shared Dr. Ross-Scott.

“I’m sure that many of us here today, like me, also have deep family histories of military service. It is our responsibility, as their loved ones, to honor, remember, and thank them for accepting the call to serve. I am truly proud of my grandfather, my parents, my cousins and my Army doctor daughter, for lending their skills, intellect, and talents to protecting our nation,” shared Dr. Ross-Scott.  

Father and son alumni, Jacques Doyle ’55 and Patrick Doyle ’88 and ’90, attended the ceremony and reception. Jacques Doyle served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War (1950-1953). He was wounded during combat. “I still have some metal in my wrist, elbow, and cheek. They don’t bother me at all, but the metal in my cheek did keep me out of Hollywood,” teased Doyle.

She then took the opportunity to highlight that about 100 current SUNY Broome students receive VA benefits annually. In addition to our student veteran population, the SUNY Broome community is deeply honored to have veterans employed as faculty and staff  across our campus in the following departments: Business, Civil Engineering Technology, Custodial Services, Dental Hygiene, English, History, Philosophy, and Social Science, Information Technology Services, Learning Assistance Department (LAD), Math, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Public Safety, Purchasing, Physical Education and Sport Studies, Psychology and Human Services, Radiologic Technology, and the Registrar’s Office.

Dr. Ross-Scott invited everyone in attendance to join her in the Calice Connector for light refreshments and to collect their “Greenlight a Vet” lightbulbs.

All student veterans, dependents, and survivors are invited to visit the Veterans & Military Affairs Office located in Student Services Building, Room 102. Veterans and their families are encouraged to stop by for assistance in navigating the VA benefits process, learn about community resources, receive referrals for counseling for financial, vocational and academic issues, and socialize with one another. This office acts as a direct liaison between SUNY Broome Community College and the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Buffalo regarding payment of benefits.

Learn more about SUNY Broome’s Veterans and Military Affairs Office! 

 

Veterans Day Ceremony 2021