2025 National Veterans and Military Families Month
Updated November 7, 2025
In honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month this November, the Libraries is hosting a display on the first floor of Bird Library titled, "Service to School: The Veteran's Resilient Journey." By invitation from the Libraries, student veterans created a collection of items from their time in service and at SU that hold special meaning for them as it connects to their experience of transition. These are on display for the month of November 2025 and was curated by Patricia Giles. A research guide accompanies the display.
Transitioning from service to civilian life is never easy. Swapping a uniform for a backpack brings unforeseen challenges, which is a true testament to our resilience. Each veteran has their own journey through service, often intersecting with others for a brief period or even for years. For some veterans, sharing their stories and memories is more complicated than for others. Every service member has taken a unique path, demonstrating the resilience required to complete their duties.
The transition from the structure of military life to the independence found in higher education requires adaptability. It also continues to create new opportunities to grow and redefine one’s identity away from the uniform.
We have compiled a showcase of meaningful items gathered from members of our veteran community to share with the rest of the student body. These objects represent only a small snippet of items that hold deep personal meaning to us. Each item includes a short reflection on why it is important and how it connects to our experiences in service. Some are accomplishments, while others were collected during our travels to inspire motivation and guidance. Together, these items represent our ongoing transition into becoming students and professionals.
The Libraries also has a book display on the first floor of Bird Library on the History of Women in the U.S. Military, compiled with graduate student employee Grace Suhadolnik.
In addition, Syracuse University Press, in partnership with the Syracuse University D’Aniello Institute for Veteran & Military Families (IVMF) and the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC), are hosting a discussion of art, identity and conflict featuring Veterans Writing Award winning authors on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 5 pm at the National Veterans Resource Center Daniel & Gayle D’Aniello Building at 101 Waverly Avenue. The discussion will be followed by a Veteran’s Writing Weekend Workshop on November 8 and 9, 2025. Read Voices of Service: A Celebration of Veterans Writing and Weekend Workshop for more information.