When thinking about American soldiers fighting and serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, it's understandable to envision sweltering heat and dessert terrains.
For Temple University Municipal Police Academy cadet Ryan Berk, his memory of Afghanistan is decidedly different.
"We were in a small outpost in a mountainous region right on the border of Pakistan conducting regional patrols, raids and humanitarian aid patrols in local villages," said Berk, 27, a United States Army Sergeant who served with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Enduring Freedom. "In addition to separation from family, the physical conditions and the terrain were the hardest things to deal with. At a 10,000-foot elevation, the winters were extremely cold, but what you're doing is important and necessary so you focus on that."
On Wednesday, November 11, Berk will be among several veteran and active duty military members of the Temple community to share their stories as the University honors its veterans during special Veterans Day ceremonies beginning at 11 a.m. Ceremonies will take place at Rock Hall Auditorium at Main Campus and the Campus Lounge (Bright Hall) at Ambler Campus.
"Temple has designated November Military Appreciation Month to honor everyone at the University who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces," said Laura Reddick, Associate Director for Adult and Veteran Student Recruitment at Temple who is coordinating the Main Campus Veterans Day program. "We want our veterans to feel proud to be 'Temple Made.'"
The Veterans Day ceremonies are sponsored by Temple's Military and Veteran Services Center, Temple University Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts, Temple University Division of Student Affairs, Ambler Campus Office of Student Life, the November Military Appreciation Month Committee, Sodexo Dining Services and a variety of Temple departments.
"I think it's always important to recognize those who have served or are currently serving in the military, overseas and at home, and their willingness to make sacrifices for their country," said Temple Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Mary McElroy, who served as a Captain in the United State Marine Corps from 1987 to 1992 and will speak during the Main Campus ceremony. "I will always be grateful for my time in the service. I think it helps you become a better person and a better citizen."
McElroy said she used the opportunities that military service afforded her to become the first person in her family to go to college. While attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis, she was captain of the softball team and lettered in basketball during her sophomore year "thanks to my tenacious defense."
"Serving my country taught me teamwork, organization skills, discipline, all skills I use every day," she said. "It taught me not only how to lead and inspire, but also how to be a good follower. My service also helped me to find ways to develop the best strategies to get things done."
Speakers at Temple University Ambler will also include Frank Anger (E-4 Corporal, United States Marine Corps), a member of the Temple University Municipal Police Academy with Berk, and Robert Deegan, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Director of the Temple University Police Academy who served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam era. Joseph Myrick (Staff Sergeant, United States Army, eight years of active duty service including 12-month and 13-month tours in Iraq) and Richard Burns (Sergeant, United States Army, six years of active duty service including 12 months in Afghanistan) will also provide insight into their time serving their country.
"I served with India Company — 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine — toward the end of operations in Iraq. A lot of it was very community oriented, re-opening schools for example. I gained a lot of life experience; we did everything from security and census work to weapon cache sweeps and first aid," said Anger, who served from 2006 to 2010 including 7-month and 8-months tours in Iraq. "Serving my country was something that I always wanted to do — it's a completely different world and you can't go through it without being changed. I think it's important to remember people who have served, those who have fallen and everyone that is still overseas."
Berk said after the Army, he wanted to continue to serve his country. Entering Temple's Police Academy was a natural fit, he said.
"I gained a true appreciation for life in general. You develop the foundation for the type of person you will be and how you will live your life," he said. "My entire outlook changed. I have an appreciation for the smaller things, the conveniences that people take for granted."
According to Christie Willard, Assistant Director of Criminal Justice Training Programs at Temple, the skill sets that veterans bring to the Academy and other programs "translate wonderfully into civilian law enforcement."
"Often veterans don't think they have marketable skills, but I do my best to help them see what they have done in the military is marketable, especially in law enforcement. These students get the philosophy that no one gets left behind, the importance of team work, that life or death can depend on each other, and the importance of structure," she said. "I appreciate what they have done for our country and the least I can do is make this part of their transition home as easy as possible and to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to."
Service members come to Temple well-prepared for the academic, mental and physical demands of any curriculum, said Anthony Luongo, Director of Criminal Justice Training Programs.
"Military veterans make excellent students because they possess attention to detail, demonstrate the ability to problem solve and embody honor and integrity," he said. "Combining these traits with the professional and academic skill development they receive, our military veterans are highly sought after in every field of endeavor."
In addition to Mary McElroy, speakers at Main Campus will include Terrence D. Daniels (Staff Sergeant, United States Army and U.S. Army National Guard); former Philadelphia 76er Ollie Johnson (United States Army and U.S. Army National Guard); Travis Navarro Travis (Petty Officer, Second Class, United States Navy); and Joseph Kauffman (Sergeant, United States Marine Corps).
Dr. Anthony Waskie, a member of the faculty of Temple's Department of French, German, Italian, and Slavic Languages and an avid historian, will provide a greeting as Temple University Founder Russell Conwell in addition to providing information about the POW-MIA table at the ceremony. Dr. Waskie served as a Captain in the United States Army and Army Reserves during the Cold War era.
In addition to speakers, the Main and Ambler campus Veterans Day events will include a singing of the National Anthem, honor guards representing all branches of military service, and a laying of the wreath and playing of Taps to honor fallen soldiers.
At Main Campus, Boyer College of Music and Dance music major Mary M. McCormick will sing the National Anthem accompanied by Yoni Levyatov while at Ambler, the anthem will be performed by Rhonda Geyer, Director of Non-Credit Programs at Temple University Ambler, Fort Washington and Center City. Boyer student Joshua Lee will also perform America the Beautiful at Main Campus while Geyer will perform the song at Ambler.
The Ambler program will additionally include an invocation by Cantor David Green of Congregation Beth Or. A small luncheon provided by Sodexo will be held for Temple veterans or those currently serving in the military following the ceremony at Ambler in the Dining Center.
A reception sponsored by the Temple Military and Veteran Services Center will immediately follow the Main Campus Veterans Day program in Morgan Hall Room 301D from 12 to 2 p.m. Registration is required at www.temple.edu/veterans. The Division of Student Affairs will provide a complimentary Military Appreciation coin to veterans who attend the ceremony; Sodexo will provide lunch passes to veterans who have registered for the event.
Temple University was ranked No. 31 among "Best Colleges for Veterans" in the country by U.S.News & World Report and was designated a "military-friendly school" by G.I. Jobs Magazine for 2016, the seventh year in a row Temple has achieved this status. The designation is given to just 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide.
"The number one priority of the Military and Veteran Services Center is to provide the best quality education and campus experience," said Reddick. "The University Veterans Task Force is committed to continuously reviewing our infrastructure and implementing policies to ensure that Temple is top-notch in servicing our military and veteran population and their family members."
For more information about the Veterans Day ceremonies, visit www.temple.edu/veterans or contact Laura Reddick at 215-204-6130 (Main Campus Programs) or Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell at 267-468-8425 (Ambler Campus Program).