Students and veterans alike joined to listen to counter-terrorism specialist and Gulf War veteran Thomas Barnes Jr. speak about leadership both on and off the battlefield.

The lecture took place on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. in the Student Union Theatre. The lecture comes as a part of the annual history and political science departments’ Veterans Day lecture. Although the actual recognized day was on Friday, the lecture was held on Thursday so that more students would be able to attend.

“For those who are quibblers about dates might say, ‘why is a history department doing veterans day on the wrong day?'” said introducer and history professor Dr. William Robison at the start of the lecture. “That’s because we have a four and a half day schedule now, and now there are a lot more people on campus on Thursday than there are on Friday. But in fact we think Veterans Day should be celebrated every day anyway, so having it on two days instead of one is not really a problem.”

Robison started the lecture by notifying the audience that the university had earned the title “military friendly school” by GI Jobs Magazine, which is catered towards soldiers transitioning into a civilian life, as well as mentioned the foundation of the new veterans association on campus. Robison also asked all the veterans who have served to stand up, and he called for the audience to give them a round of applause for their service.

Barnes shared his experiences with leadership and how it can be utilized correctly. Barnes also talked about where difficult decisions had to be made in combat situations.

Barnes, a combat veteran of both the Gulf War and the Iraq War, has served in various roles that help assess and deter terrorism threats to the United States and installations abroad. Barnes currently teaches undergraduate courses that pertain to national security, terrorism and intelligence.

“We were delighted to have Tom Barnes to share his experiences as a soldier, his insights about war and terrorism in the twenty-first century and his call to veterans to continue providing leadership for our nation,” said Robison. “His lecture was engaging and informative, and the question and answer period afterward was just as good.”

Barnes also talked about the duty of veterans after coming home and how they can still serve their country in the civilian world.

“A lot of concepts are very similar to how a lot of people in the military seem,” said speech communications sophomore Seth Matherne, who is also a lance corporal in the Marine Corps active reserves. “I thought it was a cool twist about how he focused on the fact that duty isn’t so much for civilians to recognize what the military has done for them but still how military service is continuing. You know we have an old adage in the Marine Corps., ‘Once a marine, always a marine,’ and I thought that was interesting being seen carried through even today. Once we have gained these skills, the service that we have done doesn’t just end whenever we walk out the doors of our unit and head home for the last time.”

In addition to the usage of leadership in the business world, Barnes commented on why he spoke on leadership for the Veterans Day lecture.

“I think it’s important because with the situation that we are in right now, with the idea that we are coming up on another election, everyone seems to have their own two cents thrown into the pot,” said Barnes. “Everyone seems to say that their way is the best. I think if we had some individuals that had military background or military training, not necessarily that they have had to serve in the military, but some sort of leadership and where it’s been tested, particularly in combat, I think they would benefit this situation. They would be able to provide the guidance that’s needed, they would be able to make those hard choices and those hard decisions, regardless of their career at the end of the day.”

Barnes was also glad to give a speech on Veterans Day at Southeastern.

“It was a huge honor and the fact that I was able to give it at my dad’s alma matter made it even better,” said Barnes. “The students and the faculty here at SLU have just been great and so it just made it to be a perfect day.”