Among the mass exodus of students leaving campus for spring break, eight student veterans from Syracuse University spent three days in Atlanta, Georgia. While their fellow classmates were in pursuit of leisure and relaxation during the time off from classes, these student veterans attended a career immersion trip hosted by the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA).
Alumni
Hometown Hero: Rear Admiral John Okon
United States Navy Rear Admiral (RADM) John Okon was born and raised in “the 315,” having grown up in Camillus, and he has bled orange his whole life. John attended the last game in both Manley Field House and Archibald Stadium, as well as the first game in the Carrier Dome. During high school, he worked for Syracuse University parking cars in the west lots of the Carrier Dome and at Manley Field House. John says while the money was good, it was the free ticket to see his ‘Orange’ that was the most valuable benefit!
Hometown Hero: Raul Rosique, Jr.
United States Navy veteran Raul Rosique was born in Delano, California, and raised in Richgrove, California. Raul shipped out to boot camp a few months after his high school graduation at age 18 in 2014. Raul’s enlistment was for five years, and he was set to be attached to a Nuclear Submarine as a Logistic Specialist. After completing logistical training in Mississippi and Submarine training in Connecticut, he received orders to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which luckily ended up being his only duty station.
Hometown Hero: Richard M. Jones
United States Army Staff Sergeant (Retired) and three-time Syracuse University alum, Richard M. Jones, was born and raised in Utica, New York. Rich comes from a military family and his passion for service was inspired by their service. His paternal grandfather was a member of the 29th Infantry Division, one of the first soldiers to land at Omaha Beach.
Army ROTC Alumni Reflect on 20th Anniversary of 9/11
hanksville, PA. Since that day in 2001, men and women across the country answered the call to serve – including Syracuse University Army ROTC cadets. While some were already in the service when 9/11, and some joined the service after, both have telling stories and reflections to share as we look back on that tragic day and the Global War on Terrorism.
Peggy Combs Joins Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Advisory Board
The OVMA announced the addition of Retired U.S. Army Major General (MG) Peggy Combs ’85, the highest-ranking female military officer to graduate from Syracuse University, to its advisory board.
Forrest Vosler
TSgt Forrest Vosler served in the US Army Air Force during World War II and is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Nicholas Georgiade
Nicholas Georgiade was a boxer in high school in New York City, but he dropped out to join the US Army. He served in the Korean War, during which he won the Army European heavyweight title
Wilmeth Sidat-Singh
After graduating from Syracuse, Wilmeth joined the police force in Washington, D.C. Once the United States entered World War II, Wilmeth chose to serve his country by joining the Tuskegee Airmen, the U.S.’s only African-American Unit in the Army Air Force.
William Shemin
President Barack Obama announced that he would posthumously bestow the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s highest decoration for valor, to Sergeant William Shemin of Bayonne, New Jersey and Private William Henry Johnson of Harlem, New York for their heroic efforts on the Western front in World War I.