SUNY Fredonia music education major Levi Dowd plays the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Thursday’s Veterans Remembrance Ceremony at the college. PJ photo by M.J. Stafford

SUNY Fredonia held its 16th annual Veterans Remembrance Ceremony Thursday in the Williams Center Multipurpose Room.

Attendees observed a moment of silence in recognition of veterans for their service and sacrifice. The college’s annual Veteran Scholarships were awarded. Senior music education major Levi Dowd performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Several speakers offered remarks.

Dunkirk’s Frank Torain, a retired Army sergeant, joked, “When I thought about what I was going to speak about, many subjects went through my mind, from selfless service (to) patriotism, duty, honor and loyalty. I’m a Pentecostal preacher, so I have no problem delivering a long, meaningful speech. I’m not going to do that today, so you can relax.”

Torain did have a few reflections, however. “I went through about four or five changes in my uniform in my career. That’s how long I was in,” he said. Torain was, among other things, a recruiter in Dunkirk and a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps leader.

His interest in the Army was raised when his friend told him he was joining for a $2,500 bonus. It took him a couple months to get his mom’s permission, but she finally agreed to sign his papers.

Torain later attended SUNY Fredonia and used his GI Bill to attend classes. “Not only did I have some very professional and very, very, very wonderful professors, but it made me consider myself part of the Blue Devil thing,” he said of the school.

Tracy Stenger, interim vice president for student affairs, spoke on behalf of President Stephen Kolison. She noted that she is the wife of an Army lieutenant colonel and daughter-in-law of a World War II Marine veteran.

Stenger said SUNY Fredonia has received the top “gold” status in a ranking of veteran-friendly colleges.

“Service personnel of all branches learn a set of values during their basic training. They live these every day in everything they do, on or off the job. These include … integrity, service above self, loyalty, respect, honor, courage, commitment,” she said.

Stenger said the best way to honor veterans was to live by similar values.

The student winners of the Veteran Scholarships are all veterans or dependents of veterans.

Fredonia’s Rachael Cunningham won the Courage and Honor Scholarship, worth $850. Recipients of $550 Fredonia Veterans Scholarships were Michael Calimeri of Jamestown and Derek Raymond of Malone.

Three students got $350 Fredonia Veterans Scholarships: Grace Crino and Jacob Green of Fredonia and Justin Kovach of Cassadaga.