Sgt. Rebeca Cruz-Esteves’ Military Occupational Specialty involves running toward dangers from which others would rightfully flee.

As a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist with the Army National Guard, Cruz-Esteves would be among the first to respond should a terrorist attack or biological threat such as an Ebola outbreak occur in Pennsylvania.

“The military trains you to be a leader,” said Cruz-Esteves, Class of 2016, who is also a human resource management major at Temple.

“Meeting my responsibilities with work, school and military service—it’s all possible. The Army gave me the discipline, the ability to think strategically, to tackle any challenge, no matter what it is.”

Temple University was ranked 31 among Best Colleges for Veterans in the country by U.S.News & World Report and has been designated a “military-friendly school” by G.I. Jobs magazine, the sixth year in a row Temple has achieved this status. The designation is given to just 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide.

“The No. 1 priority of Veteran Affairs is to provide the best quality education and campus experience,” said Laura Reddick, associate director for adult and veteran student recruitment at Temple.

“The university Veterans Task Force is committed to continuously reviewing our infrastructure and implementing policies to ensure that Temple is top-notch in servicing our military and veteran population and their family members.”

Today Cruz-Esteves will be among several veteran students and alumni to share their stories as Temple University honors its veterans during special Veterans Day ceremonies. Ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. and take place at Rock Hall Auditorium on Main Campus and the Dining Center at Ambler Campus.

“I think programs like this remind us that freedom does not come without a price. We’ve fought for our freedom to live in this fantastic country of ours,” said Temple University Men’s Basketball Coach Fran Dunphy, a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam era and will be among today’s Main Campus speakers.

“I am absolutely proud of our armed forces, and I would not trade my Army experience for anything. It was as influential as any time in my life.”

In addition to veteran speakers, today’s events will include a color guard representing all branches of military service and a ceremony to honor fallen soldiers.

Immediately following today’s Main Campus program, a reception will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. in Morgan Hall, Room 301D, for all veterans who attended the ceremony. The College of Public Health will cap off Veterans Day with a complimentary dessert treat at 1938 Liacouras Walk, from 2 to 4 p.m.   

The Veterans Day events are sponsored by Temple Veteran Affairs, the Center for the Arts, Student Affairs and other Temple departments, as well as Sodexo and the Penn Towne Chapter of the Links Inc.

For more information about Temple’s Veterans Day ceremonies, visit Veteran Affairs.