ESU Hosts Veterans Day Celebration
East Stroudsburg, PA (11/12/2026) — East Stroudsburg University hosted its 18th annual Veterans Day Celebration Wednesday, November 11 to recognize local veterans, servicemen and servicewomen in all branches of the armed services. The celebration included a military observance adjacent to the "Julia" statue at the front campus circle. Julia was originally acquired by East Stroudsburg State Normal School alumni in 1919 to commemorate and honor the school's servicemen and women who had died in World War I.
The keynote speaker for this year's event was Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan D. Hogan. Lieutenant Hogan is the Commander of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 752 and Professor of Aerospace Studies at Wilkes University. He is responsible for the recruitment, training, and development of United States Air Force and United States Space Force officer candidates from Wilkes University and 11 crosstown schools.
Lieutenant Colonel Hogan commissioned in the Air Force in 2009 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps and received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Texas Tech University. He spent eight years in operational cyberspace positions with experience at the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team, the National Security Agency, and the White House Communications Agency. He also led the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center's Long Range Stand-Off Nuclear Surety program and the B-61 Tail Kit Assembly Build and Deliver team. In 2021, he transitioned to the Space Force and was stationed at Space Systems Command in Los Angeles where he architected future SATCOM systems, and led Pacific theater Kill Chain analysis. Prior to his current position, he was the Chief Engineer of the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program in Space Systems Command, Los Angeles.
His major awards and decorations are Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award. He achieved promotion to Lieutenant Colonel on September 1, 2024.
His education experience is as follows:
2009 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock
2009 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Master of Science, Information Systems Engineering, Western International University, Phoenix, Ariz.
2017 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., in residence
2020 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
The Veterans Day Celebration program also included the armed forces medley, a wreath laying by ESU President Kenneth Long and Corporal Taylor, a three-volley salute by the Monroe County Joint Veterans Honor Guard, and the playing of taps.
A reception was held following the program in the Veterans Lounge in the University Center.
For more information, contact June Pepe in the Student Enrollment Center at (570) 422-2812 or at veterans@esu.edu.
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Elizabeth Richardson (570) 422-3139, erichard10@esu.eduShare this Story
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