BINGHAMTON, NY – Binghamton University’s Veteran Student Organization (VSO) and the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) will host a Veterans Day ceremony and wellness event at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the Anderson Center Chamber Hall, on campus. This event is free and open to the public. 

Guest speakers include United States Marine Corps General Juan Ayala and United States Army Sergeant Rick Yarosh. Ayala will begin speaking at 3:15 p.m., followed by an intercession at 4 p.m. with veteran wellness activities, tabling for Veteran Services and refreshments. The ceremony continues at 5 p.m. with a speech from Yarosh.

Ayala, a native of El Paso, Texas, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1979 after graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He holds a master of business administration from Campbell University and a master of arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. He also attended the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Amphibious Warfare School.

Ayala assumed command of Marine Corps Installations Command, Headquarters Marine Corp, on July 2, 2013. He also served as assistant deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics, as well as commanding general of the Marine Corps National Capital Region. He also previously served as the chief of staff of the United States Southern Command in Miami, Florida, where he was promoted to his current rank. During his tour as the commander of Marine Corps Installations Command, Ayala also served as the task force commander for the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games, an adaptive sports program for combat-wounded, ill and injured service members.

Ayala’s personal awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, among many others.

Yarosh is a retired sergeant of the United States Army. He was injured in Iraq in September 2006. After graduating from Windsor Central High School in 2000, Yarosh joined the Army as a cavalry scout in 2004. After training, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division of Fort Hood, Texas. He was deployed in December 2005, where he spent nine months before being severely injured by an IED.

Yarosh suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns around his body. As a result of his injuries, his right leg was amputated below the knee, he lost both of his ears and part of his nose, lost multiple fingers, and lost most of the function in both hands. Yarosh is now a motivational speaker, sharing his story with others.

For more information, contact Zach A. Salisbury at zsalisb1@binghamton.edu or call him at 607-591-7830.