Assumption University Welcomes Secretary Jon Santiago as Speaker at 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony
On November 5, Assumption University honored those who have served and currently serve in the United States Armed Forces with a Veterans Day ceremony in the Tsotsis Atrium. The event was planned and sponsored by Assumption’s Veterans Success Committee, and was hosted by the committee Chair, Associate Professor of Human Services, and member of the United States Army Reserves Gary Senecal.
“It is important for Assumption University to recognize our military students, staff, faculty, and alumni, as well as support and honor all veterans and salute them for their service,” said Senecal. “Veterans Day is a celebration meant to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of our country, and willingness to sacrifice their lives so all of us can live freely. It is important to our university to recognize, honor, and serve our veterans, service members, and their families.”
The ceremony included remarks from multiple Assumption University community members, including President Greg Weiner and Board of Trustees member Major General (Ret.) Robert Catalanotti ’80 HD ’15, and a keynote address from current Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans’ Services Jon Santiago.
“Aristotle compares true friendship to the love a parent gives to his or her child, a love that cannot be repaid. In that sense, our active-duty troops, our reserve troops, our veterans, our fallen, and their families, are friends to our nation and to their fellow citizens,” said Weiner. “They do not expect repayment commensurate with their sacrifice. And moreover, that kind of repayment is not within our power. What we owe is friendship. We can provide a friendship of support, of care for the mind, the body, the soul. And we can provide our gratitude.”
“We must never forget those brave men and women soldiers in all wars, who gave their lives for our free nation, enriched by freedoms and liberties in this precious democracy,” said Catalanotti. “Veterans routinely model leadership, exemplify selfless service, and are thoughtful of others’ values, all traits that have only strengthened our Assumption community, while at the same time have lifted our nation’s good. Our military members and veterans live by a precious creed: We will always accomplish the mission. We will never accept defeat. We will never quit, and we will never ever leave a fallen comrade.”
Santiago spoke at the ceremony about his journey to becoming Secretary, which he admitted was not without hesitation. He reflected on his service in Syria, where he met other servicemembers who inspired him to answer the call to serve in the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services.
“Although these folks had different origin stories, what they had in common with each other, and with many of you here today, was a commitment to serve,” he said. “When I think about their service, their individual service, but also our collective one, I often think about the sacrifices they offered. I think about their transition back to civilian life, the search for education and employment opportunities, healthcare and housing, or that yearning just to be surrounded by their family and loved ones. And that’s when I began to think about how I can best support those who had given so much.”
Santiago then spoke about what he has been able to accomplish as secretary, including improving two veterans’ homes after they were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, passing comprehensive veterans’ legislation through the HERO Act, and dedicating resources to providing places to live for homeless veterans.
“We are not doing this alone. Every single success and every bit of progress has been tied to collaboration and partnerships. And that’s why I need you,” he said. “We need the involvement of university leaders, faculty and student organizations. We need to embrace the veteran students among us, support them in achieving their academic goals, and create an environment that honors their service and empowers their future. Because whether it’s education or homelessness, so long as our military is out there serving and protecting, the job is never done. This isn’t just a promise. It’s our duty. It’s a call to action to serve those who served us.”
Assumption University is a proud participant in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), preparing students for service in the military while providing them with a strong academic foundation. Learn more about ROTC opportunities and scholarships for students at the ROTC webpage.
In addition, the university has been named a Military Friendly® Institution for four years in a row, honoring and serving veteran students with opportunities to thrive, including specialized support for academics and their well-being. Learn more about this distinction by clicking here, and more about Assumption’s commitment to serving those who have served here.