While the country will observe Memorial Day on May 25, the DePaul office that serves student veterans hosted a dinner on campus on Wednesday, May 20, to honor service members who have died in the line of duty.  

Stefanie Macias, a veteran and the liaison for the Office of Veteran Affairs, said traditions at the event included the “missing man table,” in which a rose is put on the table to honor fallen, missing and imprisoned service members.

This includes the 13 to 15 members of the military who have died during the current U.S. military operation in Iran.

Memorial Day is always observed on the last Monday of May. This holiday, originally called Decoration Day, started after the Civil War and remains a day for Americans to celebrate and decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. Though the main intent for Memorial Day is to honor fallen members of the military, many families also use the national holiday to remember other loved ones who’ve died, visiting gravesites and often placing flowers on them.

Memorial Day honors military service members who died while serving, while Veterans Day recognizes all who have served in the military.  

“The most important thing to note for nonveteran students showing support and respect during Memorial Day is to understand and recognize that this day is not meant for those who are still with us today,” said veteran Brandon Carroll, who works with DePaul’s Office of Veteran Affairs. “This day is meant to honor those who are unable to be present with us on this day.”  

Although both holidays involve remembering and honoring veterans, Carroll said the best way nonveteran students can show support to veterans during Memorial Day is by being emotionally and physically present for those who are grieving military family members.

Macias said Veterans Day often feels more celebratory.

“It’s a whole different vibe,” Macias said.

Marcelo Pons, a DePaul sophomore and resident adviser at a Loop residence hall, isn’t a veteran himself, but he said it is important for DePaul and nonmilitary students to recognize the service of veterans — and especially student veterans.

“I don’t know any student vets, but I have seen some students in class with military uniforms,” Pons said. “Their status as vets is unknown to me.”

He said some students aren’t aware that there is an Office of Veteran Affairs on campus.

DePaul has two offices for veterans, one located in the Student Center of the Lincoln Park Campus and another located at the DePaul Center on the sixth floor, called the Veteran Affairs office.

 Macias noted that people choose to serve in the military for different reasons. 

“A veteran’s sacrifice means different things, and whichever or whatever veteran you’re speaking to, people sacrifice for different things,” she said.

 She explained that some people go into the military for the benefits, some for citizenship and others purely out of love for their country. Regardless of the motive, she said, sacrifice carries a different meaning for everyone.

 “It’s a reminder to not put a blanket label or have a bias towards a certain group because it’s different when you’re inside, and when you meet us,” Macias said.

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