FSC Student-Veterans Visit Local School
November 25, 2019
Eric Farina, Director of Veterans Services, and members of FSC’s chapter of Student Veterans of America, recently visited Amityville Memorial H.S. for their third annual “Bring a Vet to School Day.”
The FSC contingent met with 14 – 17 year olds about their military experience, explaining why they joined the service, what they did there, and how it has affected their lives.
“Only 0.45% of the population have served in the military since the end of the draft in 1974,” says Farina. “Fewer and fewer young people even know a veteran. Events like this let teens know that the military that protects our freedom is not a video game or a Hollywood movie.”
The student-veterans were also grateful for the chance to talk to the high schoolers.
Business Management major Eugene Murray ’19 had this to say: “It was great to speak to students who were in my position before I enlisted in the Marines a decade ago. I felt like they gained some insight into the world of military service, and what they can get out of it.”
Adds Jami-Lyn Butto ’20, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran studying Science, Technology and Society: “Visiting the Amityville School District to discuss my military service not only made me feel appreciated, it reminded me of why I joined in the first place. The students were very receptive, and it was nice to know that some of the students are now considering joining themselves.”
Another STS major, Brogan Arroyo ’21, says: “I felt like it was an amazing opportunity to speak to the students about the military. They are America’s future, and although they may not realize it yet, they may be the ones fighting for us one day too. Being in the military is something that I take immense pride in, and I hope that someday they can know how that feels.”
Members of Long Island chapters of the American Legion and VFW also attended the event. FSC has the largest percentage of student-veterans in all of SUNY.
