Native New Yorkers, like Rizihery Saenz, will forever be impacted by 9/11. Shortly after the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, Saenz relocated with his family to North Carolina. Though only seven at the time, he can still remember details of how his uncle nearly lost his life on that fateful day.
“The biggest factor that pushed me to enlist in the military was 9/11,” said Saenz, a junior at UNC Pembroke. “My uncle worked at a parking garage in Manhattan where it happened. He survived, but others, where he worked, didn’t make it that day.
“As I got older, I began to think, ‘What more can I do for my country to offer protection and security?’” Saenz said.
Saenz joined the Army and was assigned to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.
This week, UNCP held several events in honor of student veterans and active-duty members who have shouldered the responsibility of safeguarding our freedom. UNCP is home to 1,165 student veterans.
UNCP is one of the top military-friendly universities in the country This spring, the university earned the 2023-2024 Military Friendly School designation for the 11th consecutive year and is ranked No. 3 among small public universities. The university also holds the distinction as Military Spouse Friendly (Top 10 School), Best for Vets and College of Distinction for Military Support.
“These accolades are not just numbers or titles,” Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings remarked during this week's Veterans Honor Wreath Ceremony. “It reflects our dedication to creating a supportive environment for those who have served or are currently serving in our nation's armed forces, for those who have put their lives on the line, often far from home, and faced challenges that most of us can’t imagine.
“We cannot thank them enough for their selflessness and bravery,” Cummings said.
At UNCP, Saenz studies social work and serves as the Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter president. He also gives his time as a member of the spectrum and pre-law society clubs. After graduation, he plans to remain at UNCP to pursue a master’s degree in social work with plans to work with veteran groups such as the Wounded Warrior Project.
“My time in the military transformed me into someone comfortable with being uncomfortable. That is what helps me keep moving forward. The military made me responsible and more aware of the world around me.”
