On Nov. 11, Americans are given the opportunity to recognize and appreciate those who served in our Armed Forces by celebrating Veteran’s Day.  Below are all of Lafayette’s veteran staff members that we commemorate today.

Mike Berenc, Air Force Jr. Reserved Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) teacher

AFJROTC teacher Berenc served in the Air Force for 26 years.

“I started in the Human Resources business at Shepard Air Force Base in Texas,” Berenc said.

Berenc decided in high school that the military was something he wanted to be involved in, and in his first semester at St. Louis University, he decided to join.

Berenc’s reason for joining the Air Force evolved over his years in the service.

“Initially I was broke,” Berenc said, “Initially it was financially driven, but as I got into it I understood it was what I was supposed to do.”

Berenc’s service saw him travel across the United States and ultimately ascend to the rank of Colonel.

In regards to Veteran’s Day, Berenc said, “it reminds me of those who have served in the past who have given the ultimate sacrifice and allows me to enjoy my family today.”

Jim Carel, math teacher

Carel graduated from the Air Force Academy and served five years at the Military Airlift Command Headquarters at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

Carel held the rank of Captain when he retired from the service.

Dave Cugier, AFJROTC teacher

Like many people during the time, the military was a good way for Cugier to earn a college degree.

“As a young man fresh out of high school, I came from a big family with very little money and there was no college at the time, so of course I did use the military to get my degree,” Cugier said.

Cugier’s first ten years in the Air Force were in Logistics, which he spent primarily in New Mexico and Arkansas, as well as Germany for an assignment.

Veteran’s Day for Cugier is a time to reflect on people other than himself.

“I reflect on the men and women that came before me. Specifically my dad,” Cugier said.

Cugier’s father was a World War II hero who took part in 25 combat missions while in the Army Air Corps.

Todd Decker, science teacher

Decker, who served as an Air Force pilot from 1987-1994, first discovered his passion for flying while still living at home.

“My dad was a crop duster, and so I flew with him a lot and I got my private pilot license while I was in college. At that point, I decided that being an Air Force pilot was what I wanted to do,” Decker said.

While serving, Decker flew combat missions in Operation Desert Storm and was stationed in many places, including England for two years, the Middle East for six months and Texas for three years.

Decker appreciates the respect and acknowledgement that Veteran’s Day brings.

“It’s just recognition of the sacrifice that veterans make for this country. It’s kind of nice to have a day set aside to recognize what all the men and women in the Armed Forces do for this country,” Decker said.

Vince DeBlasi, social studies teacher

DeBlasi served as a Morse Code specialist and voice interceptor operator in the US Army Signal Intelligence Corps from 1985-1989, and was stationed in Germany, Japan and across the East Coast.

DeBlasi held the rank of Specialist Grade E-4.

Todd Doyle, Special School District teacher

In 1969, Vietnam Conflict veteran Doyle entered the Army through a practice that is Constitutionally forbidden today.

“I got a card that said, ‘Report.’  I was drafted,” Doyle said.

After Basic and Advanced Infantry Training, Doyle received his first orders to Vietnam that same year and served on a ten-man ambush team.

As a member of the ambush team, Doyle would spend up to 30 days in the jungle in areas with notable enemy activity, locate trails enemies would use and then ambush combatants.

After serving in Vietnam for one year and six days, Doyle trained at a military base in Colorado to become a tanker before returning to Northern Illinois University in 1971.

To Doyle, Veteran’s Day means “a lot.”

Oliver Helbig, School Resource Officer

After Helbig was a police officer on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, he joined the Army Reserves where he performed Army duties one weekend a month around four weeks every year of active duty.

He was privileged to be a Counterintelligence Agent for about eight years and be a part of classified investigations including one with the FBI.

For nine years Helbig was a Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent where he ran protection details for many Army Generals.

Although Helbig was never deployed, he was a week away from being deployed to the Middle East during Desert Storm in 1990.

To Helbig, Veteran’s Day is remembering the members of the Armed Forces who died to protect our country and those who have sacrificed their lives and still do today.

“The Vietnam War was in full swing when I was a teenager and I saw and heard how badly some Americans treated our service members because they did not agree with the war. I’m glad that Americans seem to have learned from those mistakes today,” Helbig said.

“There is no greater sacrifice,” Helbig added.

Lori Sanders, family and consumer studies teacher

Sanders served in the Air National Guard as a Fuel System Specialist for eight years and serviced F-16 fighter jets.

“I have always had a deep appreciation for the freedom we have in America,” Sanders said, “and feel like everyone should do their share to keep us safe,” Sanders said.

Regarding Veteran’s Day, Sanders feels it is a great honor to have a day to show appreciation for the nation’s veterans.

“I consider the military my second family,” Sanders said.