SEC Honors Veterans and Service Members for Veterans Day header

The Securities and Exchange Commission honored veterans at the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters on Nov. 12, in celebration of Veterans Day. The event was also webcast.

“The SEC values and supports the women and men who put their lives on the line for our country. Hosting events such as these allows us to honor our SEC Veterans and to inform and empower veterans and active duty military personnel on the basics of investing and protecting themselves from financial fraud. Thank you to the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the Veterans Committee for organizing this meaningful and informative event.”
– SEC Chairman Jay Clayton

Organized by staff from the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the SEC’s Veterans Committee, the event highlighted the SEC’s Military Service Members Initiative and was attended by Washington-area military units, interested members of the public, and SEC military veterans.

SEC Chairman Clayton was joined by Army Col. James J. Tuite IV, regimental commander of the Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment or “The Old Guard,” to discuss how service members can prepare themselves financially and avoid securities fraud.

Veterans Day pic 1

 
Veterans Day pic 2

 

FROM LEFT: SEC Chairman Clayton and Army Col. Tuite IV discuss financial preparedness. U.S. service members listen to talk on financial preparedness at the SEC headquarters.

Following the discussion, attendees moved to the SEC’s Veterans Hall for a reception and the Veterans Day Expo sponsored by the SEC’s Veterans Committee. The Expo kicked off with the playing of the National Anthem by middle school flautist Mammo Rossetti, son of SEC staff member John Rossetti, followed by SEC staff member Army Reserve Maj. Joshua Reece talking about the impact of deployments to Afghanistan. Also speaking were SEC staff member Army Reserve Lt. Col. Gregory Bockin on his time as a lawyer in the Judge Advocate General corps and the military justice system, and Army veteran and SEC staff member Brad Voorhees on the challenges of coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Dr. Reginald McRae, Army veteran and licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treating PTSD, highlighted developments in treating PTSD. Dr. C. Thomas Long, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of undergraduate studies at George Washington University’s history department, noted the lack of understanding about PTSD and its impact on service members during and after World War II.

Veterans Day pic 3

 
Veterans Day pic 4

 

FROM LEFT: WWII veteran Richard Idstein is presented with SEC jacket after presenting to the Chicago Regional Office. Visitors and SEC staff members attend Veterans Day Expo.

SEC regional offices held their own celebrations, including one by the Chicago Regional Office with World War II veteran Richard Idstein, who was drafted at age 18 into the U.S. Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Idstein recounted his wartime experiences in Europe, including how his platoon charged ahead of others and rescued American soldiers captured by the German troops, as well as when he was shot while scouting as part of the defense of St. Vith.

Joe Darragh, Maurice Betts, and Krysia-Jo Mationg of the New York Regional Office hosted Army Lt. Col. Mark Visger, cyber law professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, to discuss emerging issues on international cyber law. The office also launched its Suits for Soldiers campaign to donate business attire to service members.

Stephanie DeSisto led the Boston Regional Office staff and the staff’s children celebrated Veterans Day by collecting excess candy from Halloween to send to deployed troops. Boston staff also heard from Ryan Wayne, a Navy veteran from the Massaschusetts Department of Veterans Services SAVE Program, about advocating for veterans. Boston Regional Officer staff member Kevin Currid discussed the history of the Reserve Officer Training Corps and Junior Reserve Office Training Corps, and from Marine veteran Johnny Thomas and Navy veteran Chip Harper about their past deployment experiences.

Ten of the 16 veterans from the Atlanta Regional Office gathered to explain to their colleagues the origin of Veterans Day before enjoying cake.

The SEC events honored the service and sacrifice of veterans and current service members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.