Memorial Day at Capitol Tech

May 26, 2020

Memorial Day is often appreciated by those without connections to members of our military as a yearly bonus day off, but Capitol Technology University has a long history of supporting military members that makes this Monday especially close to the heart of the institution.  

Memorial Day began as Decoration Day in the years following America’s civil war which ended in 18651. 

According to History.com, General John A. Logan a leader of “an organization for Northern Civil War Veterans” pronounced that a day in May should be used to remember and honor veterans of the Civil War: “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land”1. 

While the initial movement was sparked by a Northern General, the initial commemorative ceremonies included fallen soldiers on each side of the war.  

This initial celebration became a National holiday as of a 1950, when a joint resolution passed in Congress, in which congress members “requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer.2” 

As each citizen acknowledges the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in pursuit of the country's goals, Capitol Tech. recognizes the individuals who have made and still make up our community with military backgrounds.  

Capitol Technology University has and continues to implement programs benefitting members of our military. In fact, when it comes to educating active and former members of the armed forces, Capitol Technology University has a long, proud heritage. This heritage begins with Eugene H. Rietzke, the founder and first president of Capitol, then called CREI, who was a Navy veteran. 

“The Capitol community has a deeply vested respect for active duty and veteran military members including the several faculty and staff members and numerous students at our institution who have served in the military,” said Dr. Bradford Sims, President of Capitol. “We strive to create increased pathways for these heroes to succeed outside of their military service and are honored to be distinguished as a Bronze Military Friendly® School.” 

Currently, Capitol is a participating institution in the Yellow Ribbon GI Educational Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program), allowing qualifying veterans the opportunity to attend one of Capitol’s undergraduate, master's, or doctoral programs tuition free. 

Capitol also offers numerous other opportunities for active duty and retired veterans including: 

  • transfer of credits for military training based on the American Council on Education (ACE) guide; 
  • flexible payment options for active duty military and their spouses under the Tuition Assistance Program; 
  • a 50% tuition discount on up to 12 credit hours per academic year fir Maryland National Guard members; 
  • scholarships and financial aid; 
  • the use of educational benefits at Capitol for active duty, reserves, National Guard and veterans under the Veterans Administration; 
  • tuition reimbursement support for online programs which are listed in the DANTES catalog; and 
  • discounted tuition for all Active Duty Service-members pursuing undergraduate degree programs, master's degree programs, and doctorate degree programs. 

The university is also affiliated with many organizations dedicated to supporting men and women in the service, such as the Air University-Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC), and is designated as a Maryland National Guard Educational Partner and an NDU iUniversity Academic Partner. 

For more information on the distinction and the metrics used to name institutions as Military Friendly® Schools, visit: https://www.militaryfriendly.com/survey-schools-guide/. 

References: 

  1. History. (2020, May 18). Memorial Day. References: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history.  

  1. White House. (2020, May 21). Proclamation on Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-prayer-peace-memorial-day-2020/.