A Flint native who served two combat tours with the U.S. Marine Corps and has spent the years since supporting fellow veterans will headline the University of Michigan-Flint’s 26th annual Veterans Day Remembrance ceremony. Daniel Vela, a Purple Heart recipient and director of Sacred Heart Village, will deliver the keynote address, Nov. 11, at the Northbank Center in downtown Flint. The day begins with breakfast at 9 a.m., with programming to begin at 10 a.m. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend.
“Daniel’s story is a Flint story,” said Helen Budd, Student Veterans Resource Center program manager. “He served his country, came home and has spent every year since making sure the veterans who come after him have a place to live, heal and grow. We’re honored to have him share that with our campus community.”
Vela was born and raised in Flint and graduated from Flint Central High School. He served in the Marine Corps from 2005-09 as an infantry rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. He completed combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Navy Unit Commendation.
Since returning home, Vela has dedicated himself to making sure no veteran in Flint is left without support. He is the director of Sacred Heart Village, a transitional housing community for veterans operated by Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties. Vela joined the project’s planning committee in 2023, helping ensure veterans’ own perspectives shaped its design. The village pairs small, trauma-informed homes with a community resource center offering health care, education and other support services. Its goal is to help residents build stability and the skills to live independently.
Vela’s service extends well beyond the village. He has volunteered with Team Rubicon and Team Red, White & Blue, serves as post adjutant for American Legion Post 267 and vice president of the McFarlan Veterans Memorial Park, and is a member of AMVETS and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America’s Cavalry advocacy group.
“Veterans Day gives us a chance to pause together and recognize the people who stepped forward to serve, along with the families who served right beside them,” Budd said. “Our hope is that everyone who walks into the room leaves knowing that veterans are seen, valued and supported at UM-Flint.”
Several honored traditions will return this year. The UM-Flint Chorale and Wind Symphony will perform special arrangements to commemorate the country’s 250th Anniversary. The Department of Public Safety Honor Guard will also take part in honoring the university’s veteran community. After the ceremony, the public is invited to attend the McFarlan Park Veterans Day Ceremony located adjacent to the Northbank Center.
UM-Flint’s veteran community continues to grow. This fall, 278 student veterans are enrolled at the university, an 11.2% increase from fall 2025. Another 81 military dependents are enrolled this semester. The university was also recently recognized by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency as a Gold-level veteran-friendly school for the 12th consecutive year.
“When more veterans and their families choose UM-Flint, it tells us the support we’ve built is working,” Budd said. “Each of these students brings experience and perspective that makes our campus stronger, and we want every one of them to know there’s a community here ready to stand behind them.”
The SVRC is also seeking photographs of those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces for a slideshow that will be displayed during the event. Photos can be sent to dept.svrc@umich.edu along with the veteran’s military branch and dates of service.
Those interested in attending the Veterans Day event are asked to RSVP. More information about the SVRC can be found on the center’s webpage.
