March honors veterans who served and those fallen
By Jennifer Waters
On November 7, 2012
Honoring those who served and those who sacrificed, the fourth annual Veteran's
Day Silent March will start at 12:10 p.m. Thursday outside Chase Hall.
Unlike the previous marches leading to Rockwell Hall, this march will end at the
Student Union Quad. A reception will follow in Butler Library room 210.
"We've added another step to the program this year. An alumni speaker will present
a scholarship to the winner," said Jason Gilliland, coordinator for veteran and
military services.
The Military Service Scholarship is available to any student veteran or active
military member, he said.
A flyover by the 107th Airlift Wing New York Air National Guard is slated to take
place this year, after being grounded last year due to mechanical failures.
"I have to make sure there will be planes available for us this year. The hurricane
efforts take first priority," Gilliland said.
After the flyover, Buffalo State student Julia Smith will sing the National Anthem,
and fellow student Stephen McLean will perform "Taps".
A speech by guest speaker Major Carlos M. Benitz, retired New York Army National
Guard, will follow.
This year, the silent march takes on a somber tone, recognizing Brett E. Gornewicz,
a 2011 alum of the industrial technologies program who was killed in action last
weekend in Afghanistan.
Gornewicz was one of three soldiers killed Saturday when their armored vehicle hit
a roadside bomb, according to a Defense Department report.
"It's difficult to hear because it immediately takes me back to my time at Dover and
bringing remains to the mortuary," said Student Air Force Veteran Steven Lango,
president of Student Veteran of America at Buffalo State.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo recently released an announcement to
bring all flags to half-staff in his honor, Gilliland said.
Other active students have been called in for assistance with the recent hurricane.
Margaret Shaw-Burnett, associate vice president of continuing professional
studies and military services, said the school is required to take call to action into
consideration when it comes to activated military students.
"The college has an obligation to make sure that there is no harm done to the
veterans or the reservists on duty," she said.
The Veteran and Military Services office works closely with the dean of students
to send out a message to both the students and the faculty, alerting them that the
students will be out of classes so their class work will not suffer when they return,
she said.
"This is the same as any deployment. If students must go then they get their
assignments and are still a part of campus, they're simply absent for a short period
of time," Shaw-Burnett said.
Those gathering for the walk include active military, student veterans, family of
service members and community veterans.
"It's important for the nation to recognize those who sacrifice by being away from
their family and loved ones, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice,"
Lango said.
Jennifer Waters can be reached by email at waters.record@live.com.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
'Injustice' is a fighting delight
In the spring of 2011, the award-winning NetherRealm Game Studios established itself as a heavyweight in the fighting genre of the ...
NASO engages college community in cultural comeback
The Native American Student Organization explored oral history, cultural identity and other topics in a speaker series entitled ...
THE RECORD TURNS 100: Animal Kingdom - April 8, 1970
In celebration of 100 years of service to Buffalo State, The Record will re-print one former article in each of its 10 issues this ...
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK