The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations held its annual Veteran’s Day luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in the Wilden Atrium. Veterans from various branches, current active-duty soldiers and close friends and relatives made up the attendees of this intimate event.
Morales gives talk to luncheon attendees. (Photo:Camille Frigillana) Photo credit: Camille Frigillana
“Veterans are extremely important to the APU community – from faculty, staff and administrators to current veteran students who have served in the various branches of the service during the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan War – each of them need to be recognized for our freedoms,” said the director of the Alumni and Parent Association, Rick Givens.
Attendees of the event enjoyed a lunch provided by Dining Services while chatting with others at their table. About halfway through the meal, Chaplain David “Mo” Morales, a captain, took the stage and gave a short speech which he called “words of encouragement.”
Morales, a 2000 APU alum, talked about his journey in the military. He is currently serving as the battalion chaplain for the 304th Sustainable Brigade Higher Headquarters in Moreno Valley and is entering his fourth season as the assistant coach for the APU women’s swim team.
According to Givens, APU has been distinguished as a military-friendly campus by GI Jobs for the past three years, a website that allows veterans to search for employment and schools.