AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) -- Auburn University honored the service and sacrifice of its military community through Military Appreciation
Week, an event series dedicated to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
Organized by the Veterans Resource Center (VRC), Auburn’s Military Appreciation Week featured displays from every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, interactive activities, and a reception for veterans and military alums.
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and the Student Veterans Association (SVA) were also involved. Additionally, the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity joined the partnership to participate in Wednesday’s special event, "Patriots on Plains," which highlighted the importance of supporting military services.
This Saturday’s football game against LA Monroe Warhawks was centered on honoring veterans, further emphasizing the university’s commitment to recognizing the contribution of military service members.
Jordan Ninde, a former U.S. Marine and Auburn student who has completed nine years of service, including five deployments, highlighted many veterans' challenges regarding the sense of isolation that can accompany civilian life after leaving the military.
"You get out, and you're no longer surrounded by the people you've grown to love," he shared. "For me, being a veteran means having answered the call to serve something bigger than myself. It taught me the importance of honor, courage, and commitment (Marine Corps core values). It’s about knowing you are part of a greater purpose,” Ninde said.
Events like Auburn’s Military Appreciation Week and participation in initiatives such as the Iron Rock Challenge offer veterans a sense of belonging and an opportunity to connect with peers who understand their unique struggles.
Captain Paul (Puck) Esposito, USN (Ret.), the director of Auburn’s Veterans Resource Center, explained the event's purpose is to create a space where veterans and active-duty members can come together, share stories and feel a sense of community that is essential in military life.
Maj. Jeff Dyal, also from the Veterans Resource Center, dedicated 25 years to the Marine Corps before becoming the VRC Events Coordinator. He highlighted that these events helped students better understand military service and veterans' sacrifices.
Auburn’s commitment to veterans extended beyond events, with tangible support systems like scholarships and support groups to foster connections among military alums and provide ongoing professional development.
Reflecting on Veterans Day and Auburn’s legacy of military support, Esposito and Dyal emphasized the university’s longstanding commitment to its veteran community. They said Auburn has always been a place that values service and sacrifice, not only within the Auburn family but across the country.
As the week-long events concluded with the Military Appreciation football game, Auburn University reaffirmed its commitment to veterans and military members. To learn how you can support our veterans, visit the Auburn University Veterans Resource Center.
