On Friday, November 11th, the Tufts University ALLIES kicked off their third annual Civil-Military Relations Conference by attending the annual Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by Tufts ROTC, the Advocates for Tufts ROTC, and the Tufts University Alumni Association. Tufts ALLIES members, along with over 30 representatives from the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the University of North Georgia were present for the ceremony.
After an invocation by Dan Bell, the Tufts University Protestant Chaplain, and a performance of the National Anthem by the Jackson Jills, members of Tufts ROTC participated in a Pass the Flag ceremony. During the ceremony, the American Flag was passed up the Memorial Stairs from one ROTC member to another to commemorate and honor sacrifice of the servicemen and women who defend our country. The flag was presented to Roger (E63, E88P, J89P) and Betty Borghesani (J63, E88P, J89P) to thank them for their enduring commitment to the veteran community and to Tufts University.
After the completion of the ceremony, attendants moved to Ballou Hall to hear remarks from Tufts University President Anthony Monaco and the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences James Glaser. The reception also featured remarks from MIDN Dante Vivilecchia, a current Tufts Navy ROTC student, and former service members and current Engineering School student Javier Rincon and Fletcher School student Lou Cotti.
The ceremony and reception was an excellent way to begin the ALLIES Civil-Military Relations Conference, which is an event dedicated to fostering both professional and personal relationships between service member and civilians at the collegiate level, and provided a meaningful way to appreciate current and former American service members on Veterans Day.