As Veterans Day events took place throughout the weekend and continue through the beginning of this week, senior Army ROTC students reminisced about their training experiences and the tasks that lay ahead of them after graduation.

Army ROTC students participated in the Veterans Day Run last Friday with other service students, and about 30 Army ROTC members marched in the parade downtown Saturday, according to Army ROTC battalion commander Lamar Cantelou.

Cantelou, a senior in industrial engineering, said he is in charge of making sure the “young guys know what they need to know.”

“It means I’m the ranking cadet. I’m kind of like the top man — making sure that the training gets done,” Cantelou said.

According to Cantelou, the different events that take place during Veterans Day are important.

“People need to care about [the veterans’] contributions in the country,” he said. “Being able to do something small like walk in a parade for them is important.”

TJ Duvall, senior in animal science, agreed.

“I feel like it’s one of the better ways to acknowledge the people that lost their lives and fought in defense of our country — the people that fought to protect our freedom,” he said.

Duvall said he decided to join the Army partly because his uncle was in the Air Force, but also for himself.

“I wanted to serve my country and feel like I had a part [in ensuring] the freedoms we enjoy every day,” he said.

Cantelou had similar reasons.

“My dad is in the Army, and it’s all I know,” he said. “And I think it’s an honor to serve your country.”

Cantelou said he plans to be an engineer for the Army dealing with demolitions and mine detection.

“I’m excited,” he said. “College has been fun, but I’m ready to move on to the next step and see what the Army is about.”

Although Duvall graduates in May, his plan is to go to Vet School for four more years before joining the Army as a veterinarian.

He said after he serves his eight required years, he would assess whether or not he will make the Army his career based on his satisfaction with his job and his contributions.

But John Macrae, the Army ROTC command sergeant major, said he plans on making the Army his career.

Macrae, a senior in parks, recreation and tourism management, finishes his coursework in May and after completing an internship in August, he plans to join the Army as a tank commander.

“I grew up in the military,” Macrae said. “My dad is a retired lieutenant colonel. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

According to Macrae, Veterans Day teaches citizens the importance of America’s service men and women.

“You have to show appreciation and honor those who came before us and who made a sacrifice either with their lives or with their service,” he said.

Macrae said he isn’t nervous and has no regrets about joining the Army ROTC.

Cantelou agreed.

“I’ve wanted to do it since I was a little kid — no regrets there,” he said.

According to Cantelou, the Army ROTC program helped him develop his leadership skills and said he thinks it has prepared him for what’s to come.

Duvall said he is most excited about working with soldiers who went to Iraq, had bullets fired at them and still decided to remain in the service.

“I’m excited about fighting alongside soldiers who, instead of going to college for four years, decided to go into the Army,” he said.

Macrae said although he would encourage others to join the service as well, he knows it is not an option for everyone.

“I realize at the same time that it is not made for everybody,” he said. “I think there is a certain amount of respect entailed with serving your country and fulfilling a civic duty.”