On this beautiful Veterans Day morning, which also happens to be the birthday of alumnus Jacques Fontan '86, members of the Brother Martin community, led by our NJROTC, honored our beloved veterans with a moving ceremony. First, a beautiful Mass was celebrated by Fr. David Ducote in the James B. Branton Chapel in honor of all veterans. Then, the Brother Martin NJRTOC, assisted by the Crusader Band's accompaniment, raised the colors at the flagpole outside the chapel while Brother Martin students and faculty, veterans, and guests, including family members of Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan '86, sang the National Anthem.

"Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
“Here I am,” I said; “send me!" Isaiah 6:8

"Here I am, send me, has been spoken by millions of men and women, from each corner of this nation, from every race, color, and creed. Here I am, send me, has been uttered by the brave, the not so brave, in the face of sure death. When our nation called, in the spirit of Ephesians 6, veterans drew their strength from the Lord, put on the whole armor of God, and courageously answered, “Here I am, send me!”"

These powerful words, reflected on by Brother Martin NJROTC Senior Naval Science Instructor Chief Warrant Officer Michael D. Johnson, USN (Ret.), reverberated in the heart of every student, faculty member, veteran, and guest present at our Veterans Day ceremony outside the Branton Chapel this morning.

We would like to thank everyone who joined us, as well as Chief Warrant Officer Michael D. Johnson, USN (Ret.), Senior Chief Romico J. Barnes, USN (Ret.), Band Director Dominick Caronna, Jr. '85, and Assistant Band Director Christopher Bailey ’86 for organizing this event.