On Saturday, September 7, Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs hosted the annual Stars & Stripes Tailgate prior to the Georgia Tech versus Syracuse University men’s football game at the JMA Wireless Dome. The annual event brings together the military-connected community from across the region in celebration of school spirit and camaraderie.
This year the celebration also highlighted the OVMA’s 10th anniversary at Syracuse University, acknowledging the historic commitment the university has shown towards student veterans and military families by providing opportunities and programs that are unmatched throughout higher education.
Even Otto got in on the military theme this year with a special touch to his iconic outfit. Otto wore camouflage pants and a patch to acknowledge the OVMA’s 10th year of serving student veterans and military-connected students at Syracuse University, symbolizing the office’s enduring support to its students.
With gray skies overhead and rain pouring down most of the morning on campus, it wasn’t ideal weather for a tail gate. As should be expected for military veterans, however, the rain wasn’t enough to cancel the festivities. Despite the less-than-desirable weather, more than 650 students, faculty, staff, service members and veterans from the local community gathered on campus for food, laughs, raffle prizes, and music.
Behind the scenes, OVMA’s Operations Manager, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Michael Drum, spearheaded the initiatives behind the Stars & Stripes Tail Gate. Drum worked for the university’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, but stepped into his new position towards the end of Spring semester earlier this year, making it the first time he worked directly with ensuring the event’s success.
“This was a big deal to me personally because I’ve been working here at Syracuse University for more than seven years now. I’ve attended this tailgate in the past and I’ve always had a blast. It took the cooperation and collaboration of not just this office but dozens of faculty and staff from departments from across the university,” Drum says. “It set the course for a great rest of the day when Syracuse beat the Yellow Jackets in the Dome.”
Members of Syracuse University’s Student Veterans Organization were on hand to speak with guests attending the tailgate and to raise money for activities and support programs offered to student veterans at Syracuse University.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran and College of Law student, Anthony Ruscitto ’22, G’23, L’27 grabbing food provided by Syracuse University Catering Services. Catering Services offered a wide array of food and beverages for the tailgate and consistently kept the food stocked for guests despite the inclement weather.
Each year the military appreciation game features several moments to honor the university’s commitment to those who have served, and those who are going to serve. Prior to kick-off, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry assemble on the field to take the Oath of Office. This year the oath was administered by U.S. Army Brigadier General Maurice Barnett, Commanding General of the United States Army Cadet Command.
The OVMA would like to acknowledge the following ROTC cadets who took the Oath of Office this year during the game:
- Emmanuel Babaloa – College of Arts & Sciences
- William Clegg – School of Information Studies
- John DeGeorge – School of Information Studies
- Alec Drissi – SUNY ESF
- Brendan Duffy – Whitman School of Management
- Madison Eby – College of Arts & Sciences
- Eli Espinoza – Whitman School of Management
- Michael Gammell – Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
- Emilie Gregory – College of Arts & Sciences
- Matthew Gullo – College of Arts & Sciences
- Jiya Gumaste – College of Arts & Sciences
- Julian Hernandez – College of Arts & Sciences
- Jack Patti – College of Arts & Sciences
- Travis Shallenberger – College of Arts & Sciences
- Jacob Simonetty – College of Arts & Sciences
- Allison Simpson – College of Engineering & Computer Science
- Hunter Werling – College of Arts & Sciences
- Ryan Zydanowicz – College of Arts & Sciences
The game also featured a member of Syracuse Marching Band who currently serves in the New York Army National Guard. 2nd Lt. Dreyson Hill, a student at the School of Information Studies, played the trombone throughout the game and also sang the National Anthem in a duet.
As with every home football game at the JMA Wireless dome, the end of the first quarter marked a moment to celebrate a local veteran or service member as the Home Town Hero of the game. U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant Jamieson R. Ritter ’19 observance was a poignant reminder that many of those who leave campus to serve their nation, or local communities, are placing themselves in harms way each and every day they go to work.
This year, the event was sponsored by Community Bank, Visions Federal Credit Union, UA Local 81, and Meier’s Creek Brewing Company.
From all the staff at the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, the commitment and support from the university community is truly appreciated.
