In his first semester at Columbia, Rene Moraida, GS, has found a support system with his fellow veterans that he wasn’t sure existed on campus.
“Even though we didn’t know each other in combat, there still is this sense of brotherhood among veterans,” he said Thursday evening at the U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University ball for the 235th birthday of the Marine Corps.
The MilVets’ event at Casa Italiana is the most recent display of military pride at the University. At the Veterans Day Parade downtown last week, the School of General Studies sponsored a float, and that same day, ROTC members conducted the first military flag ceremony on campus in 40 years.
“There’s a much broader significance to this event than what’s on the surface,” said Michael Taylor, GS, putting the evening in perspective with the other November events. “I feel good about veterans’ relationship with the institution—that it’s going in a positive direction.”
This Wednesday officially marked the Marine Corps’ birthday. The MilVets group organized the event alongside a number of other veteran and non-veteran student organizations. The organizers said they aimed not just to bring together members of the Marine Corps and other military branches but hoped to attract other Columbia students to the ball.
“This is part of our intent here, to expose those who didn’t serve in the military to military tradition and to give them an idea of who the veterans really are,” said Taylor, who headed the planning committee for the night.
The event included a color guard routine, a cake cutting ceremony, and speeches recounting the history and purpose of the Marine Corps.
Veterans at the dance said that this was an opportunity to recognize military accomplishments, regardless of differences of opinion.
“We can all disagree about how the wars were fought, and I’m happy to entertain those thoughts, but I think what’s different now than maybe in the past is that I as an individual and my efforts are respected,” said Rudy Rickner, Business/SIPA ’11. “I think the relationship has grown in that way.”
Brendan Rooney, GS and vice president of the MilVets, said he hopes that interactions between student veterans and others on campus extend beyond Thursday’s event.
“I urge other students to come pick our brains—ask us about our service,” he said. “Come hang out with us.”
COMMENTS
Comments will be moderated in accordance with our comment policy