WESTFIELD – Westfield State University has always proudly supported the education goals of its active military personnel, Guard/Reserve, veterans and family members. In recognition of Veteran’s Day, the university will honor its veteran students with two events: a film screening of “The Borinqueneers” on Thursday, November 12 and a campus-wide event on Tuesday, November 17. Westfield State currently has 124 veterans, 86 Guard members, and 45 students who are family members of veterans and receiving military benefits.
About Veteran Support
One university benefit is the services provided by the Veterans and Military Services Coordinator (VMSC), who acts as an advocate and university resource for military and veteran students.
The coordinator, who also serves as a Veterans Affairs (VA) certifying official, helps to assimilate service members into the campus community, keep military students on track for graduation by verifying courses, and ensure that all military students and veterans receive the benefits to which they are entitled and that all benefits are used correctly.
The role of Veterans and Military Services Coordinator has never been more important as veterans across the nation are returning to civilian life seeking higher educations. According to a study by the Student Veterans of America, an organization which strives to provide veterans with the support and resources to attend and succeed in post-secondary education, and USA Today’s subsequent report on the study, one in three veterans who attended college from 2002 to 2013 earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, 51.7 percent of veteran students completed schooling ranging from vocational training to post-graduate degrees.
Veteran’s Day Recognition
“The Borinqueneers” is an award-winning documentary on the history of the all-Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, the only Hispanic-segregated unit in Army history and its significant participation during the Korean War. They are recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress. The film will be presented from 6- 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 12 on Dever Stage in Parenzo Hall. The screening is free and open to the public. For more information on the film, visit http://borinqueneers.com.
Filmmaker Noemi Figueroa Soulet will attend the event and answer audience questions. Soulet will be accompanied by 65th Infantry Veteran Eugenio Quevedo. Born in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, Soulet was raised in Spanish Harlem and has a degree in Education from New York University and a Certificate in Digital Filmmaking from SUNY Westchester Community College. She has produced numerous short films including “The Priest’s Wife,” “The Paramount Movie Palace,” and “Surviving the American Dream.”
On Tuesday, November 17 at 3:30 p.m., a Veterans and Military Appreciation Event will be held in Wilson Hall Savignano Auditoriums A and B. There will be a posting of the colors ceremony by the Westfield State University Color Guard and a singing of the National Anthem by a Westfield State Student. Representative John Velis will speak as well as Student Veteran President Charles Towse of Westfield. Bryan Doe from the Springfield Vet Center will present his lecture, “From the Combat to the Classroom.” In addition, there will be a Student Veteran Panel.
Throughout the day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be tables set around campus with refreshments for the university’s military, veterans, and family members as well as a banner for all to sign.
The tables are scheduled as follows:
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Wilson Hall
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Ely Campus Center
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Banacos Center
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Horace Mann
The Veterans and Military Appreciation Event is free and open to the public. For more information on student veterans services offered by the university, please contact Lisa Ducharme, veteran and military coordinator at 572-5227.
