Annual Veterans Day Ceremony features 12,000 flags decorating Campus Mall

The Rider University held its Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 9, in front of Moore Library against a backdrop of 12,000 American flags decorating the Campus Mall.  This year’s speakers included Russel Melville, director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs; Brigadier General Alberto C. Rosende, commander of the Atlantic Division, 75th Training Command, located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix in Lakehurst, N.J.; and Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Shusko '97, a decorated veteran who served in the United States Marine Corp for more than 30 years as an accomplished aviator. Lt. Col. Shusko is currently the director of the Marine Corp Martial Arts Center of Excellence in Quantico, Va. This was the third straight year Rider created an American flag display on the Campus Mall. The number of flags has grown each year. In 2013 and 2014, respectively, 6,756 flags and 10,000 flags were used. This year, volunteers placed 12,000 flags in a formal tribute to the brave individuals who have served our country.  Since 1865, Rider has opened its doors to veterans and military service members. One of the University’s proudest historical facts is that Civil War veterans comprised most of Rider’s inaugural class. Services provided by the Military Affairs Coordinators include assisting students in applying for educational benefits for veterans and veterans' dependents, certifying school attendance to the regional Veterans Affairs office, maintaining individual students’ files and reporting to regional and state Veterans Affairs offices.