Taking Time to Recognize Service

The Fifth annual Veterans Day Silent March will be held at SUNY Buffalo State on Thursday, November 7, at 12:15 p.m. The marchers—present or past members of the United States military or allied services, their spouses and dependents, and first responders—will proceed from Chase Hall to the Student Union Quad. There, a memorial ceremony will begin at 12:25 p.m. near the flags. The campus community and the public are invited to attend.

“We’re trying to make people more aware of veterans,” said Darryl Nowak, newly elected president of Buffalo State’s Student Veterans of America chapter. Buffalo State, with about 800 students who are veterans and dependents of veterans, has been designated a military-friendly school.

This year’s ceremony features Clint Morano, ’87, as keynote speaker. Morano served 23 years in the United States Navy. Today, he is a special agent with the FBI. “I think it’s great when colleges recognize people who have put so much on the line,” he said.

At the ceremony, alumna and noted watercolorist Rita Argen Auerbach will present the Military Service Scholarship on behalf of the Armed Forces Alumni, which helps to fund the scholarship. The late Richard Auerbach, who received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2007, was a leading member of the Armed Forces Alumni.

“I’m excited about the scholarship,” said Brian Pembleton, a senior majoring in social studies education who is the recipient of the scholarship. “I’ve always been fascinated with history, and I like working with kids.” He has worked as a counselor at Cradle Beach Camp. He served in the Air Force Reserves with the 914th Air Wing in Niagara Falls. He also was active duty in the Army, and he was deployed to Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011.

Another veteran, Efner Allen “Lucky” Davis, will also be recognized at the ceremony. Davis, a veteran of World War II, served as a combat medic with the 37th infantry Division’s 14th Corps. A native of Arcade, New York, Davis feels a responsibility to honor America’s veterans. He recently made a substantial gift to Buffalo State’s Transforming Lives campaign to endow the Efner Allen “Lucky” Davis Scholarship Fund. The fund will honor returning Western New York combat veterans through scholarships.

The event 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. The Buffalo State Chamber Choir will be on hand to sing the National Anthem. Following the ceremony, a reception will be held in the Assembly Hall in the Campbell Student Union.