Friday, November 11, 2011 (Bronx, NY) - Today is Veterans Day — Eleven, Eleven, Eleven! — but the celebration at Hostos began a few days early with the Caimans’ basketball doubleheader on Tuesday, November 8th. Prior to the games, there was a rousing performance by a military band from Fort Totten, which was followed by our grateful acknowledgement of veterans in the Hostos family. I have no doubt that the rush generated by patriotism and school spirit helped to carry the Lady Caimans to their 61-56 victory, and the men’s team to dominate with 86-60.

Originally called Armistice Day, this holiday honoring military veterans was created to commemorate the end of World War I with the signing of the Armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Proclaiming its first observation on November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson said:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

In the 102 years since that “war to end all wars,” American military personnel have served in World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere throughout the world. Peace and justice often comes at a very high price, and every American owes an incalculable debt of gratitude to those who have helped to pay it, whether on foreign or within our borders. Please help to pay this debt by telling the veterans in your life — those at Hostos and any others you may have the good fortune to meet — how deeply grateful you are for their service. They’ll appreciate hearing from you,” remarked Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, President of Hostos Community College.

About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, part of The City University of New York system, was founded in 1968.  Located in the South Bronx, the college currently serves nearly 7,000 students.  In addition to associate degree programs that facilitate easy transfer to CUNY’s four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions, Hostos also has an award-winning Continuing Education and Professional Studies Department that offers courses for professional development and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. In four decades, Hostos has grown from a class of 623 in the fall of 1970 to the spring 2010 enrollment of over 7,000 students.  The college also serves an additional 12,000 students through its Continuing Education and Professional Studies Department. For more news and stories about Hostos Community College visit www.hostos.cuny.edu.

Media Contact:
Ana M. Carrión - amcarrion@hostos.cuny.edu
Soldanela Rivera - srlopez@hostos.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-518-6872 or 917-627-9097

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