Located above Hultquist Library in Room 213, a reception was held recently to view the newest furniture additions, decorations, and other ‘creature comforts’ that were added to the newly remodeled and updated veterans sanctuary.

Don Pool, the school’s coordinator of accessibility services and faculty adviser for the Veteran and Military Aligned Student’s Club, said the furniture is all new, there are some new pieces of artwork, a military patch board, and a computer desk, and the student veterans club did the layout.

The JCC Veterans Lounge was previously located in the Katharine Jackson Carnahan Center on campus before the club moved to its current location in 2019.

“It’s so important for the veteran students to have a lounge like this,” said Military Aligned Club Vice-President Dan Gonzalez. “Military veterans tend to be older than a traditional student, maybe married with kids, and generally do not live on campus.”

A version of The POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) or Missing Man Table (MMT), which is on display at the Jamestown Community College’s Veterans Lounge in a place of honor, located above the Hultquist Library, Room No.213. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

Nick Norton, the president of the Military Veterans and Military Aligned Club, echoing Gonzalez’ thoughts.

“I eat my lunch here, do homework, and socialize with other military veterans,” Norton said. “Thank you to the JCC foundation members who made all this possible.”

Pool said some of the more military-traditionally rich items have not only not been altered or replaced but moved to a more pertinent place of honor within the confines of the lounge.

“We moved our Fallen Soldiers Table to the front of the room, near the door,” said Pool. “The table has been erected since our move in 2019 to this room and has been a permanent fixture.”

According to defense.gov, the POW/MIA or Missing Man Table is a dignified and solemn moment in many formal dinners and other occasions. Many different narratives have been written about the ceremony or why the table is set, but the symbolism is relatively constant. It involves a table with a single chair, usually set off to the side. The table is set with a white tablecloth, a single candle, a book of faith (optional), an inverted glass, and a single red rose in a vase, around which is tied a red or yellow ribbon. A plate containing a slice of lemon and a small amount of salt is placed on the table.

Pool said that the table is set. The last formal table-setting ceremony reading took place in 2019 when the veteran’s lounge was moved from its old location on campus to its current location and officially dedicated and opened by JCC President Dr. DeMarte, who himself is a military veteran.

Pool, a military veteran of the United States Army, added that any potential student who has a veteran’s status and has questions about how to use federal benefits should reach out to Melissa Stormer at 716-338-1018 or Military@mail.sunyjcc.edu.

“These are benefits that you worked for and have earned. If you’re a current military veteran or a military-aligned student wanting to talk about the real deal about serving, joining, or to find out more about the club/organization, feel free to contact me at 716-338-1251,” Pool said.