SVA Chapter Activities During Veterans Month
During Veterans Month (November), Student Veterans of America Chapters across the country express gratitude and engage in acts of service to honor our country’s veterans. Veterans Month acts of service can take on many forms such as participating in a ruck march, hosting Veterans Day ceremonies, participating in local parades, or visiting cemeteries or memorials.
One powerful way student veterans show their support is by participating in ruck marches. These events are not only physically demanding but also symbolically significant, representing the burdens that veterans carry, and the resilience required to navigate life after military service. On Veterans Day, student veterans from both Bowling Green State University and The University of Toledo were joined by State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari for a 22-mile ruck march to honor the 22 veterans who lose their lives to suicide daily.
Hosting Veterans Day ceremonies is another meaningful avenue through which Student Veterans of America Chapters pay tribute. These events may include speeches, presentations, and flag displays that highlight the sacrifices made by veterans. Student veterans from the University of Georgia SVA gathered for their annual flag placement on campus. Their flag display was in honor of the 700,000 veterans that reside in the state of Georgia. 
Our SVA chapters also participated in local veterans parades as a festive and public way for student veterans to engage with their communities. These parades not only celebrate the service and sacrifice of veterans but also serve as a platform to raise awareness about the unique challenges they face. Student veterans, faculty, staff, and alumni from Fordham University had the grand opportunity to participate in the New York City Veterans Day Parade, bringing attention to the diverse backgrounds and stories that exist within the NYC veteran community.
Cleaning up cemeteries is a hands-on way to demonstrate their commitment to preserving the memory of fallen heroes. Student veterans from the University of Rhode Island SVA, together with the Narragansett-Cooke-Gaspee Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, celebrated Veterans Month by cleaning up a historic veterans cemetery. By involving others, student veterans aim to instill a sense of shared responsibility for honoring and preserving the legacies of those who served. 
As Veterans Month continues and Student Veterans of America chapters embark on various acts of service, it’s crucial to recognize that their commitment to honoring veterans persists year-round. Beyond the month of November, these dedicated individuals continue to advocate, educate, and engage with their communities to foster a greater understanding of the sacrifices made by those who have served.