Veterans Day: A Commitment
Celebrating the 107th Veterans Day, Santa Monica College’s Veterans Success Center hosted a ceremony on the main campus to honor veterans, their families, and America’s proud military history. The Nov. 6th ceremony marked the beginning of a multiday series of events honoring those who served. Thursday’s event began with the Pledge of Allegiance, the playing of the national anthem and the ceremonial folding of the flag.
“For a lot of people, Veterans Day is just a day off, a pause in the semester, maybe a hashtag, maybe a parade,”said Martha Romano, master of ceremonies representing SMC’s Veterans Resource Center. “But the real point of this day runs deeper than flags and formalities.”
The spirit of the event was well received by a gathering of veteran students and faculty, culminating in “Flags for Heroes,” where miniature flags were distributed in honor of those who served. Participants were then taught the symbolic meaning of the 13 folds of honor, reflecting on the significance each fold represents.
The 13 folds of the American flag are a symbol of pride and national identity, honoring the sacrifice of our veterans. This dignified tradition reflects respect for the nation’s ideals, and added a solemn, ceremonial touch to the event’s festivities. Led by Romano and a student Army veteran Cisco Ochoa, the group participated in the 13 steps of flag folding. This time-honored tradition conveyed to the crowd the importance of veterans, their families and America’s future.
Since 2001, more than 140,000 veterans have taken their own lives—46 times the number lost on Sept. 11, 2001. These staggering numbers tell the story of the mental health crisis America’s veterans continue to face. Many veterans survive the battlefield but continue to wage a war within themselves—often not surviving. That makes the efforts of those who support veterans even more impactful.
“Just bringing some joy to people’s day,” said Therapy Dog Pup Program volunteer Josh Greenberg of his heartfelt mission. Greenberg’s therapy dog, Bear, accompanies him to veterans’ events offering comfort and connection to veterans and the public.Volunteers such as Greenberg and Bear are essential assets in America's ongoing mission to support its veterans during their return to civilian life. Their attendance at the SMC veterans event was a rewarding experience for those involved and stood as a testament to the community's appreciation for its veterans.
As President John F. Kennedy said in his 1961 Veterans Day address, “Today we are here to celebrate, and to honor and to commemorate the dead and the living, the young men who, in every war since this country began, have given testimony to their loyalty to their country and their own great courage.” On Veterans Day 2025, Santa Monica College continues that celebration, honoring those who served, their past and their future.