Hudson Valley salutes our veterans through exhibit on campus
By: Jacob Freehart
Staff Writer
On Saturday, Nov. 10, the 8th annual Pride of Our Nation, Pride of Our College exhibition was opened to recognize and thank the veterans from Hudson Valley Community College.
The ceremony was set up in the Marvin Library by the Books and Bites cafe.
The exhibit included photographs, documents, medals and other related items that have a connection to veterans and active service personnel with Hudson Valley Community College.
“Everybody in the exhibit is either an ancestor or family member of someone on campus, a student, faculty or staff, which is where [half of] the title comes from: Pride of our College,” said Alice Malavasic, associate professor in history, philosophy and social sciences.
“I think it’s always important to recognize veterans, not just on campus, to show our gratefulness and American pride,” Alexis Holmes, an exercise science student said.
Through multiple donations, they have raised $2,000 from the exhibit.
Underneath each person on display was a card that described their years of service, what branch they were a part of and stories or events that they took part in while in the military.
Many of these small biographies contained interesting and inspiring facts. One read:
“Staff Sergent Bill Worthington was an Army Medic with the 360th Engineers during World War II. The 360th participated in the Normandy Invasion and subsequent actions in France and Germany. Sergent Worthington received two battle stars. He returned home and opened a flower shop now run by his daughters Bonnie Beaulieu and Linda Mulson.”
With 350 military and veteran students currently enrolled at Hudson Valley Community College, the goal was to represent all groups in the military.
After receiving a comment several years ago from a student, “Where are all the brothers?”, making a reference to African-American veterans, Malavasic has been trying to bring more diversity to the exhibit.
“That is something we struggle with every year. It is very important that we show more diversity, but we can’t if people don’t help us,” she said.
Malavasic has previously asked the Black and Latino Student Union for help. She now suggests that students of color ask their relatives who has served in their family.
She hopes to see more representation next year.
World War II ration books, pictures, canteens and sand from Operation Desert Storm were also on display. Looking through this exhibit can provide insight as to what life in the military was like.
Rear Admiral Timothy Zakriski, a Hudson Valley Community College alumni, was the main speaker of the ceremony.
“I was able to be successful at a young age and found work right away and most importantly [starting out at Hudson Valley Community College] put me on the path of joining the U.S. military,” Zakriski said.
The admiral continued to speak about his time in the military, focusing on how he applied his education to his work in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps.
“I have been around the world, applying the knowledge that I learned here, doing work on structures such as the Panama Canal and other large-scale engineering projects,” he said.
Zakriski then spoke about the current state of U.S. veterans. To properly get his point across, he read a poem by Will Allen Dromgoole called “The Bridge Builder.”
“We need to help our veterans achieve the respect and rights they deserve in this nation,” Zakriski said while reflecting on the theme of the poem. “Every day 20 veterans commit suicide, and this is beyond not right, especially because of what they have had to sacrifice.”
He continued to speak about veterans, emphasizing how useful the GI Bill is to them. According to Zakriski, U.S. citizens should continue to try to improve how they are treated and accept them back into society.
Students are happy to see veterans being represented and honored on campus.
“I know a few veterans just in my class alone and I know lots of active [soldiers],” said automotive technical services student, Albert Cramer. “They’ve gone through too much for the lack of respect [from] most Americans.”
The exhibit will be open until Dec. 7 during regular library hours.