Wentworth Honors Veterans at 19th Annual Celebration

Photos by Enzo Evola, Mechanical Engineering '29

Wentworth Institute of Technology honored the veterans, active-duty service members, ROTC students and military families in its community on Nov. 5 at its 19th Annual Veterans Celebration, which concluded with a flag-raising ceremony on the front lawn.

President Mark A. Thompson opened the program by asking veterans in attendance to stand and be recognized. He then pointed to the Institute's long connection to military service.

"At Wentworth, honoring our veterans is not only an annual tradition, it is deeply rooted in our institutional history," Thompson said.

During World War I, the campus became "Camp Wentworth," where thousands of servicemen trained. During World War II, Wentworth educated naval trainees, aircraft mechanics and technical specialists in support of the war effort. Materials from the Naval Training School that operated on campus during that era were on display at the event.

Thompson said that legacy continues today through the veterans, service members, military families and ROTC students on campus, many of whom balance coursework with careers and family responsibilities.

"Whatever path has brought you here, we are proud that you have chosen Wentworth for this stage of your journey, and we are committed to helping you achieve your goals," he said.

The alumni speaker was Ted Prorok, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Specialist Fifth Class. Prorok earned a Certificate of Graduation in Building Construction in 1965, an Associate of Engineering degree in 1966 and an Associate's Degree in Applied Science in Building Construction Management in 1972.

Guests then moved outside, where ROTC cadets Tiago Araujo, Aaron Garcia, Josephine Kim, Jamison Nielsen, Harry Stone and Jon Tudor raised the flag. Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, who served 24 years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Jayani Bennett '29, a Biological Engineering student and member of the Colleges of the Fenway Chorus, sang the national anthem.

The ceremony commemorated the Armistice that took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, ending the fighting in World War I.

Members of the Board of Trustees also attended. The event was organized by Wentworth's Military Connected Services program and the University Events team.