Veterans Day at Rivers: Service and Sacrifice

The celebration, a standing-room-only affair in Kraft Dining Hall, began with a slideshow honoring Rivers community members who are active service members or military veterans—spanning alumni, parents, and grandparents of both students and members of the professional community. The assembly was dedicated to Robert “Bob” Cleverdon ’40, a Navy veteran who passed away in August and who was a frequent guest at the annual assemblies. Members of Cleverdon’s family joined the audience as part of the ceremony, and the community paused for a moment of silence.

Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem gave introductory remarks, reflecting on the history of Veterans Day in the United States and the personal history of those gathered. “At Rivers, we make an intentional choice to learn, reflect, serve our community, and remind ourselves how service members have defended and sustained the freedom and democracy of our country,” said Dahlem. This year marks the 105th anniversary of Veterans Day, Dahlem shared, originally framed as Armistice Day—a ceasefire during World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, bringing peace for the first time in four years of warfare. Dahlem also referenced his personal history: His father was a military veteran who served in the Army during the Vietnam War. 

“I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude for those who served our country,” said Dahlem, acknowledging the personal sacrifice of military service.

“The Rivers of today is a community in service to others,” said Dahlem. “Throughout the year, and particularly in the month of November, Rivers students, parents, and staff are giving back to our community in a variety of ways.” These community partnerships include: The Village Table, a meal service program for those who are food insecure; a wellness bag project for the Wily Network, a support program for Boston-area college students who lack the emotional or financial support of families; Bluedot, which supports youth engagement in local solution-oriented climate action projects; Room to Grow, which supports parents raising children in their earliest years; and a cleaning supply drive for Home Base Veterans transitioning to permanent housing.

Dahlem went on to introduce keynote speaker General Jack Hammond, a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General with multiple combat commands, who currently serves as the chief executive for the Home Base National Center of Excellence for Mental Health and Brain Injuries, a unique partnership between the Boston Red Sox and Mass General Hospital. “Veterans Day is a time to recognize all who have served our nation, in both war and peace, and to give special thanks to the living veterans who have made great sacrifices on our behalf,” said Hammond. 

There were also a few Rivers connections: Russ Halloran, a longtime member of the Rivers professional community, is Hammond’s father-in-law, and Col. Gerard Fridmann, uncle of Abby Erlandson ’27, served with Hammond.

Hammond acknowledged that Veterans Day can be a difficult time, stressing that while it is sometimes seen as a time of celebration, for many veterans it’s impossible not to reflect on those who were left behind in combat.

He spoke about his organization, Home Base, where earlier that morning he had addressed 24 veterans from all parts of the country who had come to engage in a two-week intensive treatment for post-traumatic stress, compressing two years of treatment into two weeks. 

“It’s a life-changing, transforming event,” said Hammond. “It was a great way to keep me grounded and remember why I do what I do and the importance of this day.” 

He went on to discuss the history of Veterans Day and the relationship between veterans and those they serve. “The freedoms we enjoy have come at a great cost,” he said. Veterans Day, he said, “is a good time to renew our commitment to supporting every veteran regardless of their background, not just today but every day.”

After the formal presentation, adults and students—standing in silence for the solemn occasion—filed out to the flagpole, where student body presidents Abbey Fireman and Christopher Kim, both Class of ’25, laid a wreath commemorating the sacrifices of those who serve. Maya Kloman and Thompson Barna, both Class of 2028, played “Taps” before the students were dismissed.

Some veterans in attendance lingered to connect with one another and Rivers community members. Zachary Zhang ’18, a recently commissioned ensign in the U.S. Navy, visited from his base in Virginia to attend the ceremony and took some time to reconnect with former faculty members at the Rivers School Conservatory.

The day didn’t end there, however. As part of “Rivers in Action,” a range of community engagement initiatives held during the month of November, and building on the Veterans Day programming on campus, a group of Rivers students, professional community members, and parents assisted at a veterans’ fair at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts. Volunteers were engaged in assisting and transporting residents around the event, in which over 100 residents participated. 

A trio of Conservatory Program students—Joelle Chang ’26, Robby Hargrove ’26, and Jason Liu ’27—performed selections from Dvorak's Terzetto in C major, Op. 74.

Said Director of Community Engagement Lucas Malo, “Our time at the Veterans Hospital was full of laughs, tears, and warm hearts. I was reminded how much compassion and care our students have, and I am thankful for this shared opportunity together.”

He continued, “Our musical trio captivated the audience with one of the loudest rounds of applause I've heard. Veterans filmed their performances on phones and stormed the stage in their wheelchairs to connect with our performers afterwards.”

In his remarks earlier that day, Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem thanked veterans for their service and also challenged those gathered to ponder the question, “How can we at Rivers support veterans who have served us so valiantly in the past?”

That, said Dahlem, is the common thread that connects all veterans: “Their selfless service to our nation, which is what we honor today.”