The annual Veteran’s Day lecture will host Major Michael Pretus of the United States Marine Corps as the 2012 guest speaker.
The lecture will be held on Monday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Theatre.
“Each year tends to be unique,” said Dr. William Robison, head of the department of History and Political Science. “We have had a variety of speakers, including both combat veterans and historians.”
Pretus is currently enrolled at Southeastern with future plans to teach other college students and military personnel.
“He currently is on a two-year program in which he will earn a Master of Arts in History at Southeastern and then spend three years teaching at the U.S. Navy War College,” said Robison.
Pretus was selected by the department of History and Political Science out of a number of veterans and historians who were eligible to speak.
“The USMC selected him for this program from among a very large group of applicants.”
Pretus will discuss his experiences in the Second Battle of Fallujah, Iraq in 2004 where 95 American troops were killed and over 500 were wounded.
“We invited him to give the lecture because of his participation in the M.A. program and because of his service at the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004,” said Robison.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the lecture and broaden their knowledge about the war in Iraq.
“This is an opportunity for students and faculty to hear about the War in Iraq from somebody who saw it up close and to gain a greater appreciation of the sacrifices our service men and women have made there,” said Robison.
Admission to the Veteran’s Day lecture is free and open to the public. For additional information about the lecture, contact the Southeastern department of History and Political Science by emailing [email protected] or calling 985-549-2109.