by Amy Feng Zhang

This school year, a new club at Poly is shining a light on veteran alumni and addressing the often-overlooked issues facing retired service members. Students, Marley Parikh ’29  and Isabelle Kelley ’27, co-founded PolyVETS with a mission to not only raise awareness of veteran service, but to also support mental health solutions for veterans suffering from trauma.

“My grandfather was a veteran, and seeing his work with the VVA 126 Foundation made me want to start a club for veterans at Poly.” – Marley Parikh ’29 

“Our relationships with veteran family members made this personal, we don’t want any veteran to feel forgotten.” – Isabelle Kelley ’27

With support from the director of student life, the alumni office, and History Faculty Advisor Dr. Omar Durán-Garcia, PolyVETS began their path to fundraising, spreading awareness, and launching a campus-wide banner campaign.

Fundraising for VVA 126 Foundation

PolyVETS is partnering with the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 126 Foundation (VVA126), a New York based nonprofit that provides direct assistance to veterans in need. Their current focus is combating the urgent mental health crisis among U.S. veterans. Specifically, through Project Twenty-Two to Zero, an initiative dedicated to reducing or eliminating the PTSD symptoms that often lead to veteran suicide.

Funds raised by PolyVETS will go toward RTM (Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories) Protocol, a breakthrough PTSD treatment that has shown a 95% success rate in clinical studies. The VVA 126 Foundation covers treatment costs, averaging $1,200 per veteran, to help ensure that financial burden never stands in the way of healing.

“We set a goal to help fund a veteran’s full course of RTM treatment,” the co-founders shared. “Even one life changed makes every minute worth it.”

The VVA126 Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar of what PolyVETS fundraises. After raising $600 at Homecoming, PolyVETS is already well on its way to help the first Poly alumni veteran in need.

Veterans Day at Poly and Banner Initiative

This Veterans Day on November 11, two U.S. Marine veteran parents participated in classroom shares in Kindergarten and Grade 3, while Middle and Upper Schools gathered for assemblies in the Richard Perry Theatre and Memorial Chapel, respectively. Head of Middle School Dan Doughty began his remarks with the poem, “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon, shared his personal connection to the holiday, and encouraged students to discuss with their families the service members in their own lives. Head of Upper School Sarah Bates gave a short talk on the history of Veterans Day and shared the story of her maternal grandfather who enlisted in 1942 and was part of the D-Day landing. She also welcomed U.S. Army veteran, West Point, and Poly alumnus, Julian Holder ’01. Before a group moment of silence, select Senior Singers, which included Kelley, delivered a moving rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

Continuing their mission to raise awareness, PolyVETS is leading the Poly Heroes banner campaign, which features posters with photos, names, service branches, and graduation years of Poly alumni veterans. The series of banners is currently on display in the library hallway. With the help of Director of Alumni Relations Donna Muoio P’13, ’17, co-founders Kelley and Parikh have been reaching out to Poly veterans to learn more about their service.

Marley Parikh ’29 and Isabelle Kelley ’27 install Poly veterans posters in library hallway.

Marley Parikh ’29, Delia Pawlak ’28, Isabelle Kelley ’27 with veteran and alumnus Julian Holder ’01 and Dr. Noni Thomas López at Veterans Day assembly.

Dr. Noni Thomas López, Julian Holder ’01 with his mom, Sharon Holder P’01, and Holder’s former teacher, Erika Freeman P’24, ’26, ’28, ’32 at Upper School’s Veterans Day assembly.

Senior Singers, which includes PolyVETS member Kelley, sing “America the Beautiful.”

Dan Doughty addresses Middle School assembly on Veterans Day.

One alumnus, Peter Love ’65, shared his gratitude and story: 

“I was unaware of the PolyVets Club. It is a wonderful thing that you are doing for the many vets who attended Poly. Many of the Poly graduates from 1961-1965 were swept up in the Vietnam War with little appreciation granted to them. I served in the U.S. Navy from October 1967 through January 1989, starting as an enlisted seaman and retiring as captain. November 1st of this year will be the 53rd anniversary of the mining of the USS Westchester County LST 1167. I was serving aboard the ship as an ensign at the time. The mining killed 17 crew members and wounded another 30.  It was the greatest single loss of life to the Navy during the Vietnam War. A commemoration will be held this year in Lasdon Park, Westchester County, NY.” Love’s elder brother, Francis Love ’61 also served in the military in Vietnam. “Francis received two Bronze Stars for combat in Vietnam. He is currently residing in a veteran’s home in New Hampshire. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His service was from 1965-1973,” Love added.

Looking Ahead

Beyond immediate fundraising and banners, PolyVETS aims to expand its digital presence and highlight campus memorial spaces that honor veterans. For students interested in joining, the club invites enquiries to Kelley and Parikh. For alumni and families, donations are encouraged through the VVA 126 Foundation.

“Recognition, education, and support, that’s our mission,” the co-founders said. “We want veterans to know they’re seen, and for students to understand their service.”

Amy Feng Zhang is a senior and a Macaulay Honors Scholar at Baruch College. This year, she is interning with the Engagement & Communications Department.