Alamo Colleges District officials joined SAC staff, faculty and students demonstrated their respect for veterans, active service members, and those who have fallen at events held at SAC’s Victory Center Nov. 10-11.
SAC’s Interim Director of Veterans Affairs, RoseMarie Moreno, and Vice President for Student Success Dr. Gourjoine M. Wade spoke during a ceremony on the front lawn of the Victory Center where students and staff placed flags of significance Nov. 10.
“These flags are a token of our appreciation of the men and women who have served this great country,” Wade said. “The blue flags recognize all veterans. White flags are for active military, and the red flags honor the military and veterans who are no longer with us.”
A section of the Victory Center’s front lawn was reserved as a memorial garden. A banner thanking veterans was staked into the ground, flanked by a red, flowered wreath. Various flags were inserted into the grass, with the names of the service members handwritten on them by the people gathered. Each piece of the printed material waving in the wind.
Professor Carmen Santiago from the Allied Health/Dental Assisting department has attended ceremonies on campus with her students every year. Her father served in the Army as an paratrooper and jump master. Her brother served in the Army and the Marines, as well as other family members who served.
“Every semester, I have veterans or active military family members in the program,” she said.
“I believe it’s important to take time to honor and to thank our heroes who served for us so that we can enjoy the freedom that we have in the United States of America,” Santiago said. “I placed a red flag for my dad, who passed away in 2020, and a blue flag for my brother, who retired from military service.”
Texas State Senator José Menéndez joined ACD and SAC officials, speaking at a Veterans Day ceremony in the Valor Room in SAC’s Victory Center.
“The reason we have this victory center is because of the veterans who’ve chosen to make San Antonio College their home,” Menéndez said.
SAC also received the 2025 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC).
Established by the Texas Legislature, the award recognizes universities and colleges that provide excellence in education and related services that significantly contribute to the academic success of student veterans and military-connected students.
SAC President Dr. Francisco Solis, a Navy veteran, presented SAC Centennial challenge coins commemorating SAC’s commitment to honoring veteran students and fallen service members.
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