Student Veterans of America Celebrates Veterans Month
Veterans Month (November) is a special month for Student Veterans of America (SVA), and every year we celebrate veterans for the month and beyond. Veterans Month is a time to honor and remember the sacrifices that our nation’s service members made.
There are many ways to honor and celebrate veterans during Veterans Month, such as visiting cemeteries and having remembrance ceremonies. To honor all of our country’s veterans, SVA board members Josh Jones and Alexis Smith, staff members Tammy Barlet and Calvin Jensen, and student veteran Miranda Powell attended the 70th annual National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery.
Held annually in the Memorial Amphitheater, distinguished guests include Duane Sarmiento, Commander-in-Chief of the WFW and The Hon. Denis R. McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and The Hon. Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States, who gave his Veterans Day Address to a multitude of veterans, service member, and their families and supporters. Immediately following the ceremony’s closing, SVA board members and staff were granted the incredible opportunity to lay a Wreath of Remembrance at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Other ways to get active during Veterans Month include hosting or participating in events such as ruck marches which serve as a way to honor, raise awareness, and recognize the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans. Our Research Fellow, Mark Wooten, participated in a Rucksack Challenge at the University of Southern Mississippi to raise awareness of veteran mental health issues. Championing causes that shed light on veterans and service member related issues is a great way to show support to the veteran community during Veterans Month.
One of the most common ways to celebrate Veterans Month is to host or attend a Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony. American University’s Military Connected Club (AUMCC) hosted its Veterans Day Ceremony on campus at the Washington College of Law, and many current student veterans and alumni were in attendance. One of our SVA staff members, Marketing Coordinator, Kameron Smith, was among the alumni in attendance at the AUMCC event. Other recognizable alumni include Will Hubbard, former SVA Chief of Staff, and Jimmy Anderson, former Director of Veterans Engagement at the White House.
It’s important to acknowledge that our Headquarters Staff continues their commitment to honoring veterans extends beyond Veterans Month. Throughout the year we advocate, educate, and actively engage with veteran communities to foster a greater understanding of the sacrifices made by those we serve.