Sgt. Rebeca Cruz-Esteves' MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) involves running toward dangers from which others would rightfully flee.

As a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist with the United States Army National Guard, Cruz-Esteves will be among the first to respond should a terrorist attack or biological threat such as an Ebola outbreak occur in the state. Certified in radiation safety and a hazmat first responder for the Presidential Inauguration and at G20 summit in 2013, her unit's mission is focused on protecting lives.

"We are one of the best chemical units in the country — I trained many of the members myself. I'm confident in myself, my unit and the equipment to get the job done," said Cruz-Esteves, 25, a Human Resource Management Major at Temple. "The military trains you to be a leader — meeting my responsibilities with work, school and military service, it's all possible. The Army gave me the discipline, the ability to think strategically, to tackle any challenge, no matter what it is."

On Tuesday, November 11, Cruz-Esteves will be among several veteran students and alumni to share their stories as Temple 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 Dining Center at Ambler Campus.

"We are very excited about the various events we have planned for November, which Temple has designated 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 truly appreciate the sacrifices they have made for our country, and we want our veterans to feel proud to be 'Temple Made.'"

The Veterans Day ceremonies are the centerpiece to University-wide events to honor veterans of all wars, according to Reddick. Sponsors include Temple Veteran Affairs, Sodexo Dining Services, the Center for the Arts, Division of Student Affairs, the Penn Towne Chapter of The Links, Inc. and a variety of Temple departments.

"I think programs like this remind us that freedom does not come without a price. We've fought for our freedom to live in this fantastic country of ours," said Temple University Men's Basketball Coach Fran Dunphy, a U.S. Army Veteran who served during the Vietnam era. "I am absolutely proud of our armed services and I would not trade my army experience for anything. It was as influential as any time in my life."

After completing basic and advanced infantry training in October 1970, he was recruited to the U.S. Army Basketball team just days before he was to receive his orders to head overseas, Dunphy said.

"I remember the first time I visited the Vietnam War Memorial," he said. "Surrounded by those 58,000 names, I felt they were telling me to soak it all in and never forget the tremendous sacrifice they made for our country."

In addition to Coach Dunphy, speakers at Main Campus will include U.S. Navy veteran Mustafa Rashed (Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Gulf War and Somalia), U.S. Army active duty Captain Joelle S. Quiapo (Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn) and U.S. Army National Guard Captain Jason B. Reeves (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

Joining Cruz-Esteves at Ambler will be U.S. Army Specialist Jere Ritchie, who served in Afghanistan; 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 Vietman era. Saul Katzman, Director of Finance and Operations at Ambler who served in the New Jersey Air National Guard, will provide welcoming remarks.

In addition to veteran speakers, the events will include a singing of the National Anthem, a color guard representing all branches of military service and a lying of the wreath and playing of Taps to honor fallen soldiers. At Main Campus, veteran student Adam Lungi Salvatore of the Boyer School of Music and Dance will sing the National Anthem; America the Beautiful will played by Boyer saxophonist Sean Bailey. Jazz quartet students Phil Arrington, Silas Irvin, Jack Synsoki and Isaac Young will also perform.

"It is true that freedom isn't free," said Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell, Assistant Dean for Student Life, who is coordinating the Ambler Campus ceremonies. "Our students and alumni have risked, and are currently risking, their lives to ensure that freedom will endure." 

Many Temple students continue to diligently do their duty for the country serving as active military while taking classes. Others have completed their service and have chosen to pursue higher education — the number of students attending Temple with financial support from the post-9/11 federal GI Bill has more than doubled in the last few years — and have become an integral part of the fabric of the University.

Temple University was ranked 31 among "Best Schools for Veterans" in the country by U.S. News & World Report and has been designated a "military-friendly school" by G.I. Jobs Magazine for 2015, the sixth 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 Office of Veteran Affairs is to provide the best quality education and campus experience. Everything that we've undertaken is to ensure that veteran students can make a smooth transition into the classroom," 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. We want to empower them so that they can make informed decisions with the most up-to-date information available."

For more information about the Veterans Day ceremonies, visit www.temple.edu/veterans or contact Laura Reddick at 267-468-8102 (Main Campus Programs) or Dr. Wanda Lewis-Campbell at 267-468-8425 (Ambler Campus Program).