Cal State LA celebrates military members with pre-Veterans Day ceremony

Clifford Moseley was listing off fellow military veterans whom he had met over the course of his life and had left a lasting impression. Toward the end of his list, he started speaking about a Marine who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after seeing action in Fallujah, Iraq, but Moseley could not finish the story.

He choked up and fell silent for a few seconds before the crowd listening to his speech applauded in support of the unnamed Marine and Moseley. Nothing else needed to be said.

Moseley was one of the keynote speakers to address a crowd of about 100 people at a noontime pre-Veterans Day ceremony at the Cal State LA's University-Student Union Plaza on Thursday, Nov. 7. The university's Veterans Resource Center (VRC) sponsored the event.

Moseley, 57, is an educator who has returned to Cal State LA for his master's work. He spoke about how sacrifices and other shared experiences, both joyful and sad, forge unbreakable connections among military members, even upon meeting each other.

"When I finished my service and returned to civilian life," he said, "that sense of self extended to beyond the Navy. I found out I can relate to just about anyone who has served. I honor the people who served in the Army, Air Force, and Marines."

Moseley described his time traversing the Pacific-from Hawaii to the Philippines, and from Japan to Canada-and a few occasions when his submarines came harrowingly close to not making it home.

Moseley, who grew up in and has returned to his Highland Park neighborhood, listed his former crewmates as a pig farmer from Ohio, a street thug from Philadelphia, sheepherders from Idaho, Bible-thumping Baptists, and hedonists whose stories "would make your ears red."

"This diverse group of people worked together to accomplish the mission that we were given. I wouldn't trade that for anything," he said. "The relationships I developed were the things that were most important. I maintain contact with my friends, and we talk about our times together and counsel each other when we face challenges."

Javier Martinez, the other keynote speaker, said he was hoping to inspire other veterans when he accepted the invitation to be part of the program.

"I've never really talked about my experience, and I think it might be helpful for other people to see they're not alone," he said during an interview following the event. "I know I have some friends who don't really talk about their experiences. They steer away from the veteran identity, and that's not healthy. We should be proud of what we've done."

Martinez, 39, a senior majoring in computer science, served in the Navy from 2008 to 2012 as an aircrewman and aviation technician aboard the USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson aircraft carriers.

"I got to work alongside some of the finest men and women you could imagine," he said during his speech. "Those years taught me a lot, both professionally and personally. They gave me discipline, resilience, and a sense of duty, qualities I carry with me for life."

Moseley and Martinez are planning to commemorate Veterans Day on Monday in low-key manners.

Moseley plans to barbecue with his two sons and catch up with veteran friends over the phone.

Martinez says a lot of homework awaits him, but he will carve out time to celebrate other veterans. "I'm definitely going to relax," he said. "I don't drink, but I'm going to have a drink for those who can't."

Seven Mason, the VRC's benefits coordinator, will be hanging out with military friends, some of whom are still on active duty.

"We're going to celebrate, but make it private," said the Navy veteran. "Maybe we can get a free dessert somewhere. That would be great.

"We have the same struggles as regular citizens, and it's always the support that means the most. As long as people take interest, honestly, that's enough."

Every school year, the VRC provides services to 1,100 to 1,300 military-connected students, which includes veterans, active duty, reservists, National Guard, and their dependents.

Cal State LA is scheduled to graduate 32 veterans this fall and another 70-80 in the spring, according to the VRC.

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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.