SGO honors veterans with Veterans Day program

Each veteran was introduced by a student from the Student Government Organization and a brief bio was read for each.

Varun Amin, a senior from Lake Charles and president of the SGO, introduced Lt. Cmdr. Kent Laborde as the guest speaker.

“This event is a convergence of two things that I highly value – public service and excellence in education,” said Laborde, who is originally from Mansura and a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve. “Many years ago, when I was a student just like you, there was no way you could convince me that I would ever join the military. It was the furthest thing from my mind at the time.”

In his civilian life, Laborde is a foreign affairs specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where he works on international cooperation on environmental issues ranging from protecting marine resources to building climate resiliency.

He began his military career as a United States Marine, where he served two tours of duty in Haiti on intelligence and civil affairs missions.

“It is a great honor for me to talk to you today about Veterans Day, which serves a very important purpose,” he said. “It is a day we recognize not just those who have given their lives in war, but all of those who have worn the uniform in service.

“This day, above all, is an opportunity to celebrate the choice one makes to serve their country. For some, it means service in conflict, for others a lifetime of peacekeeping missions or the intense standoff of the Cold War.”

Recognized veterans included Capt. Trent Friedel, who was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps through the Direct Commission Officer program in October 1993. He was initially exposed to the Navy in high school as a four-year member of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Brother Martin High School. He is a graduate of Tulane University and Our Lady of Holy Cross College with degrees in general studies and nursing, as well as a master’s degree from Xavier University in nurse anesthesia. He currently resides in Natchitoches and is married with three children. He is the owner of Cypress Anesthesia, LLC and solo anesthesia provider at Sabine Medical Center.

David Zolzer entered the U.S. Air Force in May 1968 and spent almost 22 years in service. He was enlisted for the first 11 years with various assignments as a computer operator, programmer and systems analysis. He received his degree from Troy State University in Montgomery, Ala., and was accepted to Officers Training School in 1980. After retiring in 1990, Zolzer taught at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio for 10 years, Northwestern State University for four years and joined the faculty at LSMSA in 2005.

Mark O. Melder served in the United States Marine Corps from 1986-89. He served in the infantry as an 0311 rifleman with 2nd Battalion 3rd Marine regiment stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He was deployed to Japan, Korea and the Philippines. Upon discharge, Melder attended NSU and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He later earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in sociology and criminology from Louisiana State University. He taught at NSU from 2007-10, Louisiana Tech University from 2010-14 and returned to NSU in 2014. He currently teaches graduate courses in the Homeland Security program and undergraduate courses in sociology in the Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Sciences.

Col. Frank Hall received his commission in the U.S. Army upon graduation from Western Carolina University in December 1985. After 28 years of service, he retired from the Army in December 2013. He served on all levels of command from platoon leader to company commander, battalion commander and brigade commander. Hall served 42 months in combat. He is an assistant professor for the graduate program in Homeland Security and the undergraduate program in criminal justice for NSU. He holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Western Carolina University, a Master of Science in management from St. Mary College and a Master of Science in strategic studies and national policy from the U.S. Army War College.

Robbie Baker served in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. He presently serves as Flotilla Commander for Alexandria-Pineville and state coordinator for admission partners. He is the store manager of Moore’s Tire and Service Center in Natchitoches. He is a retired captain from the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office in Baton Rouge with 20 years of service. He also served as a sergeant in the Winnfield Police Department, with 20 years of service. Baker earned an associate’s degree in general studies from NSU and attended fire training and law enforcement training schools at LSU, fire training school at Texas A&M and fire training school at the National Fire Academy.

“We can’t easily see the impact veterans have on the world around us, but it is there,” said Laborde. “Veterans are the service members who have completed their time of service and they are adding their experience and expertise to improving civil society.

“They bring with them the same self-sacrifice, dedication to public service and desire to contribute to the greater good that brought them to the military in the first place.”