October 2025 Newsletter
2025 Back to School BBQ a Success!
The HVAO 2025 Back to School BBQ was held Saturday, September 27th at the American Legion Marsh Post 442 in Cambridge.
Alumni and students from every school, as well as Harvard College Administration, attended the BBQ and Awards Ceremony. General Bo Mahaney gave the keynote address.
The HVAO Board of Directors welcomed 60 guests to the Annual Back-to-School BBQ on Saturday, September 27th. The traditional American BBQ lunch was catered by Grill 41 and the bar was tended by members of the American Legion Marsh Post 442. The event started with the invocation provided by HVAO and Pentagon Chaplain, Tim Ryu (HDS ‘01) and ended with a lively raffle where prizes such as a humidor made from an ammo can and a seat for lunch at the White House with National Security Counsel Director for Russia and Europe, Charles McLaughlin, were raffled off.
HVAO President General Bo Mahaney (NSF ‘08) presented this year’s awards. The John F. Kennedy Public Service Award was presented to William Moynahan (HC ‘99) for his dedication to justice, public service, and democratic ideals. This year’s Colonel Theodore Roosevelt Alumni Leadership Award was presented to Javier Jiminez (HES ‘23) for his unwavering service to veterans and the Harvard veteran community. The Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust Ally Award was presented to Dr. William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard College, for his work promoting veteran and ROTC admissions.
Wreath Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
HVAO will hold its annual wreath laying at ANC on Saturday, October 18. The ceremony begins promptly at 1:15 with a group photo in the amphitheater and self-pay mixer at the Pentagon City Mall Shake Shack immediately afterwards.
Medal of Honor plaque Update
Thank you to all who donated to help HVAO update the Medal of Honor Plaque located in Memorial Church in Harvard Yard. Together you provided a combined $12,765 which put us over our target of $12,500.
We would like to specifically thank the following individuals who made generous donations and drove us to our goal in record time.
Koong Lam (HES ‘17) - $4,000
Tom Reardon (HC ‘68) - $2,500
Terry Murphy (HC ‘59) - $1,000
Mark Ryan - $500
HVAO will be rededicating the Medal of Honor Plaque on Veteran’s Day, November 11th, at 11:00am in Memorial Church. All are welcome to join us.
HVAO Initiates Chapter Formation
HVAO leadership will be holding an information session for our members interested in forming local HVAO chapters. This Zoom gathering is scheduled for Friday, November 15th, at 8:00pm EST, 5:00pm PST. We will be discussing how to form a chapter, leadership opportunities, and what support the National HVAO Board will provide. To register for the information session, click THIS LINK.
