Veterans Day holds significant importance as it honors the dedication and sacrifice. Dr. Fred Hoffman said, "Today is one of those days we sit down and pause, reflect on family members—maybe a father, mother, sibling, or child—that have served in the military, and appreciate the sacrifices they have made to benefit the rest of us."

Dr. Fred Hoffman is a military veteran with over 30 years of experience as an intelligence officer, following in his father's footsteps as a World War II Veteran. Fred Hoffman said, "Then I went into the Army after grad school. I served 30 years as an intelligence officer; I got to serve in 28 countries, learn three languages; it was a good time." The event concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

President of Mercyhurst, Kathleen Getz, said, "Watching the ceremony for the POWs and MIAs at that empty table, rather than getting to place the wreaths there, which I do every year, and every year I'm fighting back tears because it is so important, because we all know somebody that did not come home."

Fred Hoffman said, "The symbolism of the empty table is remembrance; all gave some, and some gave all. Most people in the audience, if you ask for a show of hands of who has an immediate family member that has served in the military, I think you would be surprised how many hands go up."