Members of the �ϰ������ϲʿ�����¼���� community came together to honor their veterans during a special ceremony held at the atrium in Glickman-Miller Hall on Nov. 7.

“A Legacy of Loyalty and Service” began with the presentation of the national colors and special veteran salute by the Wolfpack Battalion Color Guard before giving way to �ϰ������ϲʿ�����¼���� School of Music’s Katie Kitchen who performed the national anthem. 

“I am so honored that we have the opportunity commemorate, recognize and celebrate the people who have served or are involved in supporting our loved ones who are involved in the armed services,” said �ϰ������ϲʿ�����¼���� President Laura Bloomberg. 

“To all of us here today, thank you for being a part of remembering the Armistices that became Veterans Day. Thank you to the helpers and the loved ones who serve and support, and thank you fundamentally to our veterans here today.”

Other speakers included Cleveland Recruiting Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Timothy Adair and Deputy Commander and Navy Personnel Command Read Admiral Benjamin E. Baran. 

Adair has served in various operational roles, such as infantry and logistics leadership, while holding multiple degrees, including a Master of Public Administration and Master of Military Arts and Sciences. His awards include a Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. 

He expressed his gratitude for what veterans have done not only for �ϰ������ϲʿ�����¼����, but across the world.

“To all the veterans amongst us and across the country, we say thank you for your steadfast loyalty, selfless service and for the sacrifices that have made this nation a beacon of hope and freedom across the globe,” he said. “Your legacy lives in each of us and it is our duty to ensure that your values are upheld [including] loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage are all carried forward.”

Baran, who teaches management classes in the Monte Ahuja College of Business at �ϰ������ϲʿ�����¼����, has served in numerous leadership roles at sea and ashore both on active duty and the Navy Reserve. His mobilizations and deployments include conducting maritime security operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and advising the Afghan National Police in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“The legacy of loyalty and service embodied by those who have served or continue to serve is one that’s characterized by hard work,” he said. “That loyalty and service are built upon the premise that being a part of something bigger than oneself matters. I think we will find that service of all types is what makes our nation strong, and it is through living our lives through others that our lives are well lived.”

2024 �ϰ������ϲʿ�����¼���� VETERAN STUDENT OF THE YEAR

As part of the annual ceremony, Caleb Johnston was named 2024 �ϰ������ϲʿ�����¼���� Veteran Student of the Year. Johnston, who is a currently in the doctoral program for Occupational Therapy, enlisted into active duty at age 17 in 2013 as a 19K Armored Crewman (Tanker), where he served in Korea with 1-72 Armor Battalion for a year before being sent to Fort Cavazos (previously known as Fort Hood). Later, he joined the 1-8 Cav Battalion of the First Cavalry Division, where he served from 2014-17 and deployed twice. 

In 2018, Johnston was off active duty and began his service in the Ohio National Guard with the 145 Armor Regiment while attending Baldwin Wallace University. There, he was the secretary of the Military & Veteran Students organization on campus and later became president. At the start of 2019, he was deployed one more time and finished his service commitment in January 2021. 

“I’m proud to be a veteran, and that’s a very big title and honor for me,” he said. “One of things I want to continue to do is serve in the veteran population, specifically with mental health and especially men’s mental health, which is very important. I wholeheartedly believe that if you’re in trouble, reach out.”

Assistant Vice President for Student Excellence, Leadership and Involvement Jeff Johnston said Caleb Johnston had received the most nominations by far, and a recurring theme was his outstanding character.

“He had students who he works with submit recommendations that were really singing his praises in terms of being a great colleague, fellow student and source of support,” he said. “He just had a lot of people who had taken the time to submit nominations for him and the common theme was that he was a wonderful person and leader in their program.”

Other nominated student veterans included Edward Cleveland, Anthony Pavio, Ally Racznski, Lindsey Boivin, Grady Wright, Ariel Isabella, Esmerala Santos-Lopez, Lucas Shaffer, Hunter Dillan, Michael Carlisle, Michael Lobosky, Michael Guzan, Steven Fairley and Aziz Lykins.