Seton Hall Marks Second Annual Veterans Day With Campuswide Tributes and Vietnam Veteran Keynote Speaker

Seton Hall University will once again honor Veterans Day with a full day of commemorative ceremony on Tuesday, November 11. The University’s second annual celebration pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of military veterans, especially those within the Seton Hall community, while inviting students, faculty, staff and alumni to reflect on their enduring contributions.

At 9 a.m., the Veterans Day Celebration Ceremony will take place in the University Center Event Room. The program will include the presentation of colors by Seton Hall’s Army ROTC, the national anthem performed by a Seton Hall student, an invocation and acknowledgement to honor all who have served, in addition to keynote speaker and Vietnam veteran Robin Bartlett.

Community members are encouraged to attend in support of veterans and to recognize their commitment to the country and community. Jon P. noted, 

Servant leadership is the foundation of Seton Hall University. Recognition of the sacrifice our veterans made to serve our country should never be overlooked. While we acknowledge the service of our veterans, I would like to especially recognize those Seton Hall Pirates that served — you have our utmost gratitude.

Throughout the day, the University Center will serve as the hub for additional activities. Attendees may:

• Sign a commemorative Veterans Day banner with messages of thanks (University Green)
• Plant an American flag on the University Green (University Green)
• Enjoy refreshments while gathering in fellowship, following Bartlett’s keynote discussion (University Center Event Room, starting at 10:30 a.m.)

Christopher Cuccia, associate provost for academic and graduate affairs said,

On Veterans Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of those who have served. To those within our graduate community who are veterans of the armed forces, you embody resilience and dedication, continuing to pave the way for a brighter future.

The commemorations continue with additional events on and off campus:

• November 11: Following the Veterans Day Ceremony, Vietnam veteran and author Robin Bartlett will speak on campus, sharing reflections from his time in the military and from his career as a writer and educator. Bartlett, an ROTC cadet and member of a proud military family, has spoken nationally on the importance of honoring veterans’ experiences. Learn more here. Bartlett will be available after the discussion for book signings.
• November 11: The day’s events begin at noon with a Veterans Day Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass will provide a quiet, prayerful space to remember veterans and their families, acknowledging both their sacrifices and their ongoing impact on campus life.
• November 18: The United States Military Veterans All Stars, in partnership with the Seton Hall University Arts Council, will perform as part of the "Jazz n’ Hall Concert Series." Featuring patriotic and jazz favorites, this concert is open to the public.

The 2025 Veterans Day observance and celebration is a collaboration of the Office of Graduate Affairs, Division of Student Services, Division of University Relations, Division of Advancement and Seton Hall’s Army ROTC, underscoring the University’s continuing commitment to honor and support those who have served. For details, visit the Seton Hall Veterans Day Event Page.

About Robin Bartlett
Robin Bartlett served as a combat infantry platoon leader at the height of the Vietnam War from 1968-69. He led 28-32 soldiers on helicopter combat assaults and search-and-destroy missions with the famed 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). His book, Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History, relates his unusual experiences during the war—some horrific, some humorous. Bartlett holds a master’s degree in media from Pace University and a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Claremont McKenna College in California. His book has won awards from the Military Writers Society, the Army Historical Foundation and the Independent Publishers Association.

Categories: Faith and Service, Nation and World