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 those who have served in 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 assistance for tuition and fees not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Veterans Success Center also provides mental health support and fosters community among former service members.
Throughout campus, American flags were displayed alongside QR codes that linked to stories about student and alumni veterans from St. John’s. The Office of Alumni Relations announced plans for a new webpage on stjohns.edu dedicated to veteran alumni as a resource for connection and information sharing.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. issued a proclamation recognizing the university’s ongoing efforts to support veterans within its community.
The event’s honored guest was Sey Schwartz, age 99, a World War II US Army veteran who fought in battles such as Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Schwartz currently serves as Second Vice Chair of Queens Community Board 8 and Chair of Area 2 in Briarwood. He spoke about his experiences during the war: “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.”
Schwartz also shared an encounter with a Japanese boy after the bombing of Nagasaki: “The lesson is that while leaders start wars, the young fight them,” he said.
A group of students from Middle School 217Q attended the luncheon and met with Mr. Schwartz.
Among alumni present was Second Lt. Mikolaj Radaszkiewicz ’25CCPS, now serving as a Gold Bar Recruiter after commissioning into Military Intelligence Corps upon graduation from St. John’s University-New York . He reflected on his experience: “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.”
Lt. Radaszkiewicz added: “Being able to meet people, hear their stories, learn from their experiences, and reflect is what I love about being here today.”
