The Kinder Rotary welcomed Colonel Robert Nance and Staff Sergeant (SSG) Charles Smith with the National Guard.
Smith is the new charter commander of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) chapter which is opening in Kinder. He said they plan on meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. At the moment, they are meeting at the VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) building because the American Legion building is under renovation.
Smith moved to Louisiana in 2006 from Mississippi. He is a member of the National Guard’s HHC 3rd/156INF Battalion in Lake Charles and resides in Kinder.
In his conversation with Rotarians, he gave a brief history of his career and how he has served his country/community through a hurricane, Covid testing, etc. He has been quietly working locally in the community helping with the Veterans’ Pancake Breakfast and distributing water during the recent cold snap.
He believes Kinder has a unique military history and roots here. He’s hoping to keep the energy going in the community and watch the new generation become involved in the military. He hopes to share what it means to be a veteran.
With three combat tours in Iraq, he knows of sacrifice for his country and family. He said it’s not about numbers but getting the mission accomplished and trying to protect people.
He said there are different parts of the military with different branches, but they are all one family. He said it’s like picking on siblings. Each different branch can pick on the other, but don’t pick on the military overall. It will stand together.
