Dartmouth will commemorate Veterans Day with a this month that includes the annual Veterans Recognition Breakfast and a talk by Nathaniel C. Fick ’99, a Marine Corps veteran, acclaimed author, technology executive, and former diplomat.
The community is encouraged to take part in the activities honoring staff, faculty, and students who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Nov. 11 breakfast will feature a talk by U.S. Army veteran and assistant director at the Center for Social Impact . will posthumously honor Air Force veteran Thomas E. Byrne ’55, Tuck ’56, and Marine Corps veteran Peter “Mike” Gish ’49 with the for 2024 and 2025, respectively.
On Nov. 12, Fick, the author of New York Times bestseller One Bullet Away, will speak as part of the series co-sponsored by the Rockefeller Center and Dartmouth Dialogues.
Fick started his career as a Marine Corps infantry and reconnaissance officer, including combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He served from 2022 to 2025 as the inaugural U.S. ambassador for cyberspace and digital policy at the Department of State.
Fick is general manager of security solutions at the open source platform Elastic and in 2023 was named one of Fast Company magazine’s 100 Most Creative People in Business. A former Dartmouth trustee, he holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
The event will be moderated by , the Obenshain Family Distinguished Visitor and Diplomat in Residence and a former U.S. ambassador to Rwanda, and U.S. Navy veteran , assistant dean of undergraduate student veterans.
Giovanna Lopez ’28, who served as a sonar technician in the U.S. Navy for six years, says Veterans Day is a time for reflecting on her service, and thinking about other veterans and fallen service members.
“Having served in the military definitely provided me with everything that I needed to be a much stronger individual today,” Lopez says. “Veterans Day is just another reminder of what military service did for me and for a lot of those who are still in, and those who are no longer around us.”
Will Forman ’27, a member of the National Guard, says the day makes him grateful for the amazing friends and mentors from all walks of life he has met in the military.
“Learning from everybody around me has been a truly wonderful experience,” says Forman, a biology major who was activated to Texas soon after finishing high school.
Among the lessons he’s gleaned so far: “Showing commitment to things you care about has definitely been a huge thing,” Forman says. “And following your passions.”
Dartmouth student veterans were also visiting Hanover High School on Nov. 5, to talk with students about their military service.
Veterans Day events at a glance:
- Veterans Day Recognition Breakfast, 8 a.m., Nov. 11, Class of 1953 Commons, North Dining Room. Sponsored by Human Resources, the breakfast is open to Dartmouth community veterans, families, faculty, and staff. is required.
- Bells of Peace, 11 a.m., Nov. 11. Baker Tower Bells will chime the hymns of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, commemorating the armistice that ended World War I.
- Retreat and Drill Ceremony, 4:30 p.m., Nov. 11, the Green. Dartmouth ROTC will conduct the formal ceremony.
- , 5 p.m., Nov. 12, Filene Auditorium, and by livestream. The Rocky event is co-sponsored by Dartmouth Dialogues, the , and the .
In addition, free Veterans Day buttons will be available at the events and at the Human Resources front desk. Baker-Berry Library will display a Slideshow of Remembrance in the library and online throughout the week for those who have served.
And Dartmouth-affiliated veterans age 21 and older are invited to celebrate Veterans Day at a happy hour hosted by the , on Nov. 13 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Stell Hall. Snacks and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages will be available.