Fitchburg State University observed Veterans Day with a recognition ceremony on Monday afternoon, dedicated to honoring and celebrating all who have served in the United States Armed Forces, whether in wartime or peacetime.
Inside Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge, Fitchburg State faculty, staff, and students gathered to honor the patriotism, courage, and sacrifice demonstrated by veterans across the campus, the local community, and the nation.
“Veterans Day is a time for reflection and admiration,” said Fitchburg State’s Director of Military and Veteran Services and Fitchburg State Double Falcon Nolan Buck ‘23, ‘24. “It’s about honoring those who paved the way. It’s about recognizing the leaders who inspire us, and it’s about celebrating the values we carry with us, the ones that make us who we are today.”
Buck – a veteran of the United States Marine Corps – is also proud of the fact that the veteran community is growing, vibrant and full of leaders at the university.
“Every day I see students stepping up, supporting one another, and making an impact on campus and beyond,” said Buck, who later helped present President Donna Hodge with the prestigious Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Seven Seals Award. “Fitchburg State is more than a university, it’s a home for veterans.”
Buck introduced two female student veterans, Prudence Mecha and Kirsten Perham, who Buck said exemplify the strength and spirit of the Fitchburg State community.
Mecha is a United States Air Force veteran who served from 2019-2025 as a weapons troop specialist. She is currently pursuing a degree in economics with a concentration in international business at Fitchburg State.
Mecha shared what being a woman veteran means to her.
“Women have been serving this country for generations, often quietly, often overlooked, but always with courage,” said Mecha. “It means breaking barriers, and sometimes having to prove that you belong in rooms or even on the fight lines where few women have stood before. It means wearing your service not just as a title, but as a testimony that strength does not have a gender.”
Perham served in the U.S. Army as a 68Q, Pharmacy Specialist, and was stationed at Fort Devens. After her medical discharge in 2017, Perham has been pursuing a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
“She is also an important member of our VA Work-Study program and is an essential asset not only as a veteran student, but as a female veteran balancing the challenges of school and motherhood,” said Buck.
Perham, with her 2-year-old son Emmett in her arms at the podium and her husband Matthew – an Air Force veteran supporting them in the crowd – said that being a female veteran means wearing many identities as a soldier, leader, wife and mother, and learning how each of these roles has shaped who she is today.
“I faced challenges that tested my strength, and moments that reminded me just how powerful courage can be,” said Perham. “My time in the military didn’t go exactly how I had planned, but even though my path of service took a different turn, my heart for serving never stopped. I still carry the same sense of duty and pride, not only for my own service, but to honor those who have served or are still serving and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Veterans Day stands as a powerful testament to the enduring bond between a grateful nation and the men and women who swore an oath to defend its Constitution and freedoms. It is a time for genuine gratitude, reflection, and ensuring that their commitment is never taken for granted.
“Service to our nation doesn’t end with deployment,” said Hodge. “It doesn’t end with retirement, and it certainly doesn’t end at discharge. It continues in how we show up for each other, in how we lead, and in how we live our values out loud. To serve is to care. To carry. To connect. To move forward not because things are perfect, but because the people beside you matter too much to stop trying. That’s what unites us. That’s what builds momentum—not just for this university, but for the country we’re still working to become.
“To all our veterans—especially the women whose stories we are just beginning to honor more fully—thank you for your service, for your example, and for reminding us what it means to carry a legacy of loyalty into the future,” said Hodge.
Professor Sean Goodlet of the Economics, History and Political Science Department served as the emcee and said that the recognition ceremony carries a special meaning for his family.
“Among our relatives, we have numerous veterans and active-duty service members – grandparents, parents, and cousins who served in the Army and Army National Guard, cousins in the Marines, an uncle in the Navy,” said Goodlet. “They served in World War II, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, and now our own son is a submariner in the U.S. Navy. In short, as a family we value service to this country, and we understand the sacrifices – large and small – that soldiers, sailors, marines, and air men and women make almost daily during active service and beyond.”
Fitchburg State student and vocalist Autumn Hughes delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem.
President Hodge received a special surprise during the event, as Buck and ESGR Patrick Donnelly, a volunteer with ESGR and a U.S. Army veteran with 26 years of service, presented her with the Seven Seals Award.
“Under Dr. Hodge’s leadership, Fitchburg State has become the model of support for the military community and also a model for other universities to follow,” said Colonel Donnelly, adding that President Hodge was jointly nominated by Buck and Fitchburg State alumna and Air Guardsman Julia Gauvin ‘25. “She has fostered a culture of respect and flexibility for National Guard and Reserve members, ensuring students and employees can fulfill their military obligation as well as thriving academically and professionally. Through her advocacy, generosity and example, Dr. Hodge has strengthened the bond between the university and our armed forces, creating a lasting legacy of service and recognition.”
The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive honor presented by ESGR. It is awarded at the discretion of the State Chair or ESGR senior leadership to recognize significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and furthers the ESGR mission. This award acknowledges exceptional efforts that advocate for and support the nation’s service members, reservists, and veterans—values that Dr. Hodge exemplifies through her unwavering commitment to Fitchburg State’s military-connected community.
"This recognition is just a small gesture compared to all that Dr. Hodge has done and continues to do as our president and leader here at Fitchburg State University,” said Buck. “We always say she’s rare and unique, and it’s true not just because of her energy although, I’m still trying to figure out where she gets it, but because she truly cares about people. That kind of care in leadership is sometimes hard to come by. As a veteran, I can tell you it means the world to our military and veteran students. It inspires us, gives us confidence, and makes us feel seen and valued.
“I’ve personally felt that care in my role, and it has shaped how I serve our students helping them feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to have a voice,” he said. “Dr. Hodge, I am incredibly proud to have you as our leader and mentor. This award reflects the incredible impact you’ve had, not only on me but on all of us at Fitchburg State."