Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John’s University held its annual Veterans Day Luncheon on November 6, bringing together veterans, student veterans, alumni, faculty, and guests at its Queens campus to honor the service of members of the US Armed Forces.

Karen Moritz Simons, Director of the Office of Parent and Family Connections and the Veterans Success Center, welcomed attendees from all military branches. She highlighted St. John’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which offers financial support for tuition and fees not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Veterans Success Center also provides a range of resources for former service members.

American flags were displayed throughout campus with QR codes linking to stories about student and alumni veterans from St. John’s. The Office of Alumni Relations announced plans to launch a dedicated webpage on stjohns.edu for veteran alumni to connect and share resources.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. issued a proclamation recognizing St. John’s ongoing support for its veteran community.

The event featured Sey Schwartz, a 99-year-old World War II Army veteran who served in Iwo Jima and Okinawa, as guest speaker. Mr. Schwartz said: “Veterans Day is not about hot dogs, hamburgers, John Wayne, and the Andrews Sisters,” Mr. Schwartz said. “It is about sending young boys to die and watch their buddies bleed out on the beaches. Many died that way. Those who came home often came home in bad shape. People often do not appreciate or understand that. But serving in World War II was a privilege; there is nothing more noble than service.”

He also shared an experience from Nagasaki after the atomic bombing: “The lesson is that while leaders start wars, the young fight them,” he said.

Students from Middle School 217Q attended the luncheon and met with Mr. Schwartz.

Second Lt. Mikolaj Radaszkiewicz ’25CCPS was among alumni present at the event; he recently commissioned into Military Intelligence Corps and now works as a Gold Bar Recruiter helping others pursue military service. Lt. Radaszkiewicz stated: “I wanted to give back to the program and to the school that supported me,” Lt. Radaszkiewicz said. “At the luncheon, I thanked a Vietnam veteran for his service, and he replied, ‘No, thank you.’ My journey has only begun, so hearing that from someone with so much experience was inspiring.”

He added: “Being able to meet people, hear their stories, learn from their experiences, and reflect is what I love about being here today,” he said.