Springfield College Opens Veterans and Military Services Center
Springfield College officially opened its Veterans and Military Services Center as part of a Veterans Day Observance Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11. The new Springfield College Veterans and Military Services Center is located at 727 Middlesex Street, corner of Alden Street and Middlesex Street near the Springfield College archway.
Springfield, Mass. - Springfield College officially opened its Veterans and Military Services Center as part of a Veterans Day Observance Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11. The new Springfield College Veterans and Military Services Center is located at 727 Middlesex Street, corner of Alden Street and Middlesex Street near the Springfield College archway.
"I am really excited about this special day where we officially open up a space on the campus where our veterans can go and be together, and feel right at home," said Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper. "It's only fitting that the center is located right at the entrance of the campus, and I want to say from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of those individuals who are serving and who have served our country."
The Veterans and Military Services Center is the newest addition to the campus community that offers space and support services for military members. A reception and tours of the Center followed the ribbon cutting ceremony.
"I want this to be a space where all of military connected individuals on the campus can come and utilize," said Springfield College Graduate Student Logan Large, who is leading the efforts at the center and served in the 101st Airborne. "I want individuals to feel welcome in this space, and we want this to be a center that supports our military students in anyway possible."
The Veterans Day ceremony is annually planned by the Office of Student Affairs and Spiritual Life, and pays tribute to all veterans who have served, and continue to serve our country.
"Springfield College is a very special place and it's so comforting to know they are committed to taking care of veterans," said Travis Wright, who leads recruiting and enrollment efforts for the Army ROTC. "This new center is an example of the commitment that Springfield College has in making sure our veterans have a place where they feel comfortable, where they can get together and support each other."
The history of Veterans Day stretches back to 1918. In that year, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then commonly known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning in 1919, November 11 became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to remembering the service and sacrifice of American veterans of all wars.
Veterans Day Observance
Order of Service
November 11, 2021
Veterans and Military Services Center
Color Guard: Army ROTC
The Star Spangled Banner: Victoria McFarlin and Michael Rheault
Invocation and Words of Welcome: David McMahon
President’s Remarks: Dr. Cooper
First Speaker: Travis Wright
Second Speaker: Logan Large
America the Beautiful: Victoria McFarlin and Michael Rheault
Benediction: David McMahon
