Holy Family University Honors Veterans Through Acts of Service
Holy Family University student Ronald Brown ‘25 understands the sacrifices people serving in the United States Military make for their country.
Brown, a Visual Arts major, served in the U.S. Navy from 1988 to 1993. Brown followed his father, who served in the Army, and has a son who serves in the Marine Corps. When he found out there was going to be an Interfaith Prayer Service for Veterans Day in front of Holy Family Hall, Brown knew he had to attend.
“When I was 18 and in the Navy, I didn’t know if I was going to make it back,” Brown said. “But I always thought someone was praying for us. We are all praying for someone who is out there serving our country. That is service in itself.”
Monday’s Interfaith Prayer Service included a reflection from Brett Fucci, Director of the Office of Internships and Career Services; a poem from Jean Dixon, Assistant Registrar, and a prayer read by student Elizabeth Miller, ‘28; Stephanie McCarthy, director of Campus Ministry; and Edward Wright, Vice President for Enrollment Management. Following the prayer service, Daily Mass was said in honor of veterans in the Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd Chapel in Delaney Hall.
The Interfaith Prayer Service was just one of several ways Holy Family honored veterans in the community on Veterans Day. That morning, students, faculty members and staff were invited to Coffee with a Veteran in the Campus Center. Also in the Campus Center Dining Commons was a Fallen Soldier Table. The table was reserved in honor of U.S. military members who died in the line of duty, those who are prisoners of war, and those who are missing in action.
The Library also played its part in honoring veterans with a special display. The display included several books about those who served in the U.S. Military and included flyers and links to resources for veterans.
On November 6, the HFU Community extended its thanks to veterans in the local Northeast Philadelphia community. Campus Ministry led a campus-wide service project to make Veterans Day cards for veterans living at the Delaware Valley Veterans Home.
“These cards show our gratitude toward the veterans,” said Miller, who helped organize the veterans card project with Campus Ministry. “We want to thank them for their service and let them know that we care about them.”
Holy Family University was recently recognized for its support of students who are military veterans. The University received Military Support Recognition from The Colleges of Distinction. This recognition is awarded to institutions committed to helping veterans overcome barriers in their pursuit of higher education. Holy Family has been a long-time participant in the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill’s Yellow Ribbon Program, offers flexible educational opportunities for veteran students and fosters an inclusive campus environment where students of all backgrounds are welcome.
“Service members in higher education bring with them not only a unique set of challenges, but also a distinct set of skills,” said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer at Colleges of Distinction. “As a Military Support College of Distinction, Holy Family University truly embraces the opportunity to give these students an unmatched educational experience.”