For more photos from the event, click here.
Siena College honors the service and sacrifice of veterans of the United states military with the annual Veterans Recognition Dinner held at the College. This year’s event honored two veterans that are close to the heart of the Siena community, Colonel Andrew Morgado and Anthony F. Schmitz '55.
COL Morgado, the night’s keynote speaker, has dedicated 21 years of service to the Army, serving three deployments to Iraq; two operational deployments to Korea; and a variety of command and staff positions in the continental Unites States. In addition, he served as the Professor of Military Science at Siena (included cadets from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and University at Albany) from 2008-2010.
Upon his arrival at Siena, COL Morgado began his journey to discover the common thread between Siena’s ROTC program and the College’s longstanding Franciscan tradition.
“[I realized] the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, honor…were not an antigen to Franciscan values, but complimented by reverence, service, peace and justice. I was proud to be a part of this combined mission back then, and I’m proud to continue that tradition now.”
This year’s Mohawk Battalion Hall of Fame inductee was Anthony Schmitz ’55- a World War II veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star. Inducted into the United States Army in 1943, Private Schmitz was shipped overseas and joined the celebrated Thunder Birds, part of the 5th U.S. Army. His service brought him to Italy, France and Germany until he was honorably discharged in December of 1945.
In April 2012, France’s Ambassador to the United States sent a letter to Schmitz thanking him for his bravery in helping to liberate France from the Nazi occupation and awarded him the country’s most prestigious decoration: the Legion of Honor, Chevalier. It was a note 67 years in the making, which Schmitz was honored to receive.
Siena's Veterans Services Office provides support and guidance for all students who are veterans or members of the armed forces attending the College. They are committed to recognizing academic and personal needs as well as assisting in your educational pursuits. The entire Siena College community is dedicated to creating an environment where veterans feel welcomed and celebrated for their dedication and service.
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The 2016 Siena College Veteran and Cadet Awards were given to Juan Rodriguez and Jake Maltz ’18.
The 2016 Veterans Recognition Dinner was sponsored by: Peter J. Lattimore ’68, Trustee Robert McCormick ’87, Anthony Schmitz, Jr (former member of the board of advisors), TrustCo Bank and W.B. Mason.
