Honoring Service and Legacy on Mare Island
Touro University California’s Veterans Day Ceremony Brings Together Students, Leaders, and Veterans in a Tribute of Gratitude and Community
On Veterans Day the lawn of Truett Hall on Mare Island became a place of reflection, gratitude, and community as Touro University California honored those who have served our nation. The event, presented by the Military Club, brought together students, faculty, local leaders, and veterans for a heartfelt Veterans Day celebration.
The ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by the Cal Maritime Color Guard, a solemn reminder of the traditions and values that unite service members across generations. Attendees stood in quiet respect as the flags were placed, setting the tone for an event steeped in honor and appreciation.
Student Doctor Gopal Kumar, President of the Military Club, opened the program by sharing his personal journey through military service and medicine, “I felt the need to get better,” he said, explaining how the U.S. Army’s Health Professional Scholarship Program enabled him to pursue medical training. “I plan to go back in to serve in my best capacity, to help service members, their families, their children, and anyone else who needs it in a place where it’s really hard to send a doctor.”
“Veterans Day is a time to pause and reflect, to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment of those who have worn our nation’s uniform. Here at Touro University California, that recognition feels especially profound, as our campus stands on what was once a naval base, home to the historic Mare Island Naval Hospital,” said Dr. Tami Hendriksz, Campus Provost and Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. “The very grounds we walk each day are filled with a legacy of service, healing, and dedication to others, a legacy we continue in our own way through education, healthcare, and community.”
The event also welcomed Vallejo Mayor Andrea Sorce who highlighted the enduring legacy of service on Mare Island and the vital role Touro plays in uplifting the community:
“There is such an incredible connectivity… I want to thank not just the veteran club here and the veterans here at Touro for continuing your service through medical training and going back out in the community, but the entire team here for really uplifting those values. This is a city with a legacy of service, and this particular island and this particular place carry that history forward.”
Mel Orpilla, representing Congressman John Garamendi’s office, added words of appreciation on behalf of federal leadership, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and the military community.
Dr. Nicole Peña, Senior Associate Dean and Associate Professor, emphasized the deep connection between military service and osteopathic medicine, expressing gratitude to veterans and service members, “To every veteran and service member here, thank you for your sacrifice, for your courage, and for trusting us at Touro to train the health professionals who will care for you and your family members in the future.”
As the ceremony concluded students, faculty and staff mingled with veterans and local leaders, sharing stories and reaffirming a commitment to service, whether in uniform or through compassionate healthcare.