The GW Law National Security, Cybersecurity, & Foreign Relations Law Program, with the Veteran Law Students Association (VLSA), held its annual Veterans Welcome Back Reception and were pleased to host several distinguished guests. These guests included U.S. Army Brigadier General (BG) Ronald D. Sullivan, GW Law’s own Dean Dayna Bowen Matthew, and The Flag and General Officers’ Network (TFGON) Rear Admiral (retired) Secretary Tom Connelly.
This reception offered GW Law’s veteran, active duty, reserve, national guard, and prospective JAG students, staff, faculty, and friends of veterans the opportunity to meet, network, and enjoy an afternoon of camaraderie. Students from VLSA, Military Law Society (MLS), and National Security Law Association (NLSA) made especially strong showings. Both BG Sullivan and Dean Matthew gave heartfelt remarks that communicated what service and sacrifice meant to each of them. Dean Matthew highlighted GW Law’s deep connection to the military and the role this connection has played in building a robust national security law program. She also spoke of her own father’s military service and thanked specific faculty, staff, and students for their military service, sacrifice, and continued dedication to their current mission at GW Law.
BG Sullivan, an Army Reserve officer, is a Chief Judge for the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals whose previous assignments include serving as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, Deputy Commanding Officer of the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command, and Training Officer at the U.S. Army Trial Defense Service. Drawing from these unique positions and over 20 years of military service, BG Sullivan offered the students, faculty, and staff inspiring words of gratitude and encouragement. He ended his remarks with an exhortation to draw motivation from a desire to serve and help people—values commensurate with past, present, and future military service.
In addition to the distinguished guest remarks, reception attendees of all ranks, services, law school statuses, and ages enjoyed refreshments and mingled. Reception attendees were deeply touched to share the afternoon with BG Sullivan and Dean Matthew, and look forward to future opportunities to forge community in and out of the military at GW Law.