Annual Ceremony Honors the Contribution of Vets and Their Families
Student veteran and president of Military-Affiliated Students of Stockton, Michael Smalling, gave a stirring speech during Nov. 6's Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony.
Galloway, N.J. – The Military and Veteran Success Center of Stockton University commemorated Veterans Day, which is nationally celebrated on Nov. 11, with a week of celebrations that included a Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony in the Campus Center Grand Hall on Nov. 6.
The annual ceremony’s speeches emphasized two major themes — the importance of learning from and honoring the past and the profound impact of familial support for those who are or have served.
Maj. Steven Mares (Ret.), a senior Army instructor for Central Regional High School's JROTC program, served as this year’s guest speaker. He shared details about one of the community service projects created by CRHS-JROTC upperclassmen that he has helped facilitate.
The project’s main purpose — to honor and highlight the contributions of Vietnam War veterans currently living in Bayville — made the retired major proud. The statistics that the high school students found and shared with him in a presentation proposing the project, however, made Mares admittedly emotional.
“1.7 million U.S. citizens were drafted in the U.S. military to serve in Vietnam, and more than 58,000 comrades were killed in action,” Mares said. “2.6 million were affected by Agent Orange, and many are still affected today. When those heroes returned, there were no parades, parties or welcome home. Instead, they were often referred to as ‘baby killers’ or ‘leftovers.’
“I have to admit to you all,” Mares continued. “It's even tough reading this because it reminded me of the heroes that I had the opportunity to serve with during my deployments and of those who have fought and those who are still fighting to defend democracy all over the world.”
He encouraged the audience to resist repeating history and to practice gratitude year-round.
“Let's use Veterans Day to help remind us not to repeat history when it comes to honoring men and women who sacrifice for our country and to help us reflect on what it means when we see veterans who may be in uniform as they are still serving, or we see that veteran who's wearing that Vietnam or that Korean cap. Take a moment to turn to them and say, ‘Thank you for your service,’” Mares said. “I'd also like to encourage all of us today to not just reserve those words for Veterans Day but to always take a moment to use them whenever we see a veteran. Trust me, your support means a lot to all of us.”
Michael Smalling, a junior who’s the president of Military-Affiliated Students of Stockton (MASS), said the idea behind changing the group’s name from the Student Veteran Organization stemmed from members reflecting on the importance of the support that they received from their families and close friends during their time serving.
“We changed the name for a small but very distinct reason: Behind every service member, there's a family that shares in their sacrifice. Parents and spouses who worry, and children who miss their parents. Every veteran has a reason for joining and raising their right hand to defend freedom, and you realize, only then, that you're not the only one serving,” Smalling said.
“I stand here at the helm of this organization, proud to extend this invitation to all Stockton students who are simply military affiliated. You may not have served yourself, but you are no stranger to sacrifice. We're proud to welcome you into the Stockton MASS family.”
Mares concluded by urging those in the audience to consider serving in the military and not be scared by the sacrifices involved with enlisting.
“The heroes that I spoke of today should encourage you to be a part of history and defend this incredible nation,” he said. “Whether you serve two, four, 10, 20, or 30 years, it's an amazing honor to know that you get to stand with generations of heroes who have defended our country and those who cannot defend themselves for over 248 years.”
Smalling asked the audience to continue the legacy of veterans serving our country, whether it be in the form of reflection, supporting a veteran, or thanking someone for their service.
🎖️ The celebration of veterans and active-duty servicemembers doesn’t end with the ceremony.
The MVSC invites the community to attend the following events in commemoration of Veterans Day:
- A public viewing at the Harold E. Taylor Observatory at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 7.
- The biennial Community Resource Fair on Friday, Nov. 8, in the Campus Center Event Room, starting at 11 a.m.
- The Bay Atlantic Symphony’s Veterans Day Concert at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, in the Stockton Performing Arts Center
“So many veterans will fight battles the world will never know about. To every veteran here today and those who could not be with us, your legacy is one of service and sacrifice, and you've earned our deepest respect, admiration and gratitude. It is because of you that we are able to live with the opportunity to dream without fear and to continue building a better future for generations to come,” Smalling said.
Ashley Jones, the assistant director of the MVSC, urged the audience to remember the dedication, courage and selflessness of our veterans.
“Let us honor their service by ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten, and the values of duty, honor, and freedom continue to be cherished by all,” she said.
Once the ceremony concluded, attendees enjoyed a light reception that gave them the opportunity to browse the recently expanded Faces of Stockton’s Military Community Photograph Project, a project designed to highlight Stockton’s diverse military community.
– Story by Loukaia Taylor
– Photos by Susan Allen
Picture Stockton... Honoring Veterans with a Portrait Project
November 1, 2024
Galloway, N.J. - Some Stockton University students have worked around the world, lived on ships, trained for combat and made sacrifices to serve their country. Now, they're in the classroom.
More than 400 student veterans and military-affiliated students are currently bringing their life and work experience to campus as they begin a new journey. The Military and Veteran Success Center (MVSC) in F-105 ensures that they are not on this new mission alone.
Veterans connect with other veterans in the lounge space, meet with financial and academic advisers and have a space where they can bond and build a community.
Jouseline Georges, who joined the Army and worked as a military police officer for 9 years, came to Stockton to study social work. Having a dedicated space and staff to support veterans helped her "feel at ease and at peace."
Her military experiences inspired her to pursue a degree that will allow her to help children.
"While serving, I encountered numerous cases where children had to be removed from certain environments, and I didn’t know if they’d be okay or not. Social work will equip me with the resources and ability to address complex social issues affecting children and our communities," she said.
Every year, student veterans, dependents and spouses in the Stockton community are invited to a photoshoot. Participants are encouraged to wear apparel or bring props that help to tell their unique stories.
Photo story by Susan Allen
Stockton One of Top Schools in Mid-Atlantic in Military Times Rankings
November 4, 2024
Galloway, N.J. — Military Times recently recognized Stockton University as one of the top schools in the state and in the Mid-Atlantic for military service members and veterans.
Stockton was ranked No. 3 in New Jersey and No. 17 in the Mid-Atlantic region. The university was No. 144 out of 215 public schools and No. 185 out of 304 schools nationwide in the rankings, which were released on Nov. 4.
“This recognition is a reflection of Stockton's collaborative spirit, driven by passionate faculty and staff who work diligently to empower, support and celebrate military-affiliated students as they achieve personal, academic and professional excellence,” said Michael Barany, director of Stockton’s Military and Veteran Success Center (MVSC). “Stockton truly sets the bar for fostering an environment where veteran success is not just encouraged but prioritized.”
The Military Times is the trusted source for independent news and information for service members and their families. Each year, the organization sends a survey to colleges and universities across the nation asking about their programs for veterans. The survey results are then analyzed, along with public data about colleges and universities obtained from the Department of Education and Department of Veterans Affairs, and turned into an official ranking.
-- Story by Mark Melhorn, photo by Susan Allen
Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Full of Gratitude, Honor
November 10, 2023
Galloway, N.J. – More than 100 years ago, following the tragedies and destruction of World War I, weapons were lowered in order to seek peace at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Today, we commemorate that crucial turning point in world history with celebrations like Nov. 10’s Veterans Day ceremony in the Campus Center Grand Hall, which included the singing of the National Anthem by Lynda Larkin, speeches and a reception that featured the Faces of Stockton’s Military Community Photograph Project.
Guest speaker Col. Yvonne L. Mays, deputy adjutant general for the New Jersey National Guard, discussed her journey from an 18-year-old fresh out of basic training for the Air Force to a proud member of the military community who is dedicated to helping others find opportunities to join what she considers a “thriving environment.”
“My time in uniform has been riddled with ups and downs, success and failure, love and loss, but, more than anything, my time in uniform has afforded me the opportunity to grow and learn, give and receive and lead and follow in a way that I would not have in any other profession,” Mays said, before telling the audience that she first joined the Air Force exclusively for the GI Bill, as college was considered a natural stepping stone. However, she was able to find such stepping stones in military life.
– Story by Loukaia Taylor
– Photos by Susan Allen
