Buffalo State Observes Veterans Day with Cannon Shot, Silent March

Buffalo State will hold its eighth annual Veterans Day Silent March on Thursday, November 10, at noon. The Silent March has become one of the college’s traditions; it honors members of the Buffalo State community who have served in any branch of the United States military or allied forces.

The marchers—present or past members of the United States military or allied forces, their spouses and dependents, and first responders—will leave Chase Hall at noon and proceed in silence to the Plaza in front of Campbell Student Union.

At 12:10 p.m., a blank cannon shot will open the Veterans Day observance, followed by the national anthem. Elliott Michki and Shayne Jones, members of Buffalo State’s student chamber choir, will take part.

Margaret Shaw-Burnett, associate vice president of Continuing Professional Studies, will serve as emcee for the ceremony. Shaw-Burnett oversees the Veterans and Military Services unit at Buffalo State, which has been named a Military Friendly School. Provost Melanie Perreault will offer brief remarks.

Flag, Scholarship Presentations

Buffalo State received an American flag that flew in Afghanistan on September 11, 2014, from Edward Jones,’96, who sent the flag to his alma mater. Brad Baumgartner, coordinator of Veterans and Military Services, will read a letter from Jones. Thomas Sprague, president of the Buffalo State chapter of Student Veterans of American, will share a student veteran’s perspective.

Alumna and noted watercolorist Rita Argen Auerbach will introduce this year’s Military Service Scholarship recipient, Aron Turner, Turner is majoring in computer information systems. The late Richard Auerbach was a leading member of the Armed Forces Alumni, which helps to fund the scholarship.

The Silent March is presented by Continuing Professional Studies, which includes Veterans and Military Services; the Alumni Association; and the Buffalo State chapter of the Student Veterans of America. Buffalo State is one of the Western New York colleges that take part in the local Reserve Officers Training Corps program, which is providing the Color Guard squad that will lead the march. Master Sergeant Alan Payne is Buffalo State’s professor of military science and can be reached by calling 878-3251 or visiting Chase Hall 221.

A reception will be held after the ceremony in E. H. Butler Library 210.