The Call to Service and the Call to Serve

By Office of the President | Feb 6, 2024

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. respected the sacrifices made by servicemen and servicewomen in their pursuit of a just and free society. His advocacy for civil rights had an impact on the military in many ways, demonstrating the interconnectedness between his vision of a more equitable world and the noble service of those in uniform. We recently celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King’s call to service with our Ultimate Call to Service event featuring a trio of distinguished panelists who discussed how Dr. King’s ideals and their calls that influenced their dedication to military service.

The panelists were Terrance C. Holliday, Colonel, United States Air Force, (Ret.), Former Commissioner Mayor’s Office of Veteran’s Affairs (2010- 2014); Francisca Velcek, M.D., FACS, FAAP Lieutenant Colonel, (Ret.), U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps; Chief, SUNY Downstate Division of Pediatric Surgery; and Brian D. Jones, Sergeant Major, U.S. Army NYC Recruiting Battalion Operations Sergeant Major, U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion. The discussion, which was moderated by Patrick A. Bramwell, Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.), Associate Director of Skilled Trades, Facilities Management & Development Department, explored the interconnectedness of these two paths.

Colonel Holliday, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and former Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Veteran’s Affairs, shared his heartfelt insights. He emphasized the profound influence of his father’s military service on his own decision to serve, demonstrating the intergenerational impact of military commitment.

Lieutenant Colonel Velcek, a retired U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps officer and Chief of the SUNY Downstate Division of Pediatric Surgery, offered a unique perspective as an immigrant from the Philippines. She spoke about her deep sense of duty to enlist as a way of showing gratitude to the country that had provided her with a home. Dr. Velcek’s remarkable service to Downstate has spanned over 50-plus years.

Sergeant Major Jones, who is serving in the U.S. Army NYC Recruiting Battalion, completed the panel. He discussed his transformative journey from a young recruit to a respected Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Jones explained how the military provided him with leadership opportunities and served as a platform for leading by example, illustrating the power of service and growth within the armed forces.

The event highlighted the strong connection between Dr. King’s ideals and military service as panelists shared their perspectives: Colonel Holliday’s intergenerational inspiration, Lieutenant Colonel Velcek’s gratitude-driven duty, and Sergeant Major Jones’ transformative growth within the military.

Thank you to Keydron K. Guinn, Ph.D., executive vice president, who delivered welcome remarks, and Dewell Narvaez, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, (Ret.), Senior Investigator, University Police Department, who introduced the moderator and panelists, and to the New Media Services and Classroom Services teams who always make us look and sound good. See the video and images of the Ultimate Call to Service event here.

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