Retired Lieutenant Col. Preston Rodrigue Cadet Aric Mackay mingled during the Army ROTC’s 101st Military Ball.
Courtesy of Gayle Miller

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana-Southern University and SLU Cadets, ROTC Cadre and Retired Soldiers for Life celebrated together at the Army ROTC 101st Military Ball in honor and tradition.

“This is a good opportunity to come together to have fun and, also, remember those who could not be here with us,” said professor of Military Science Lt. Col. Melvin Chisolm.

Attendees celebrated the military ball at the Martin Luther King Catholic Center at Southern University in Baton Rouge. The military ball included a welcoming ceremony for guests and members of Reserve Officer Training Corps, honoring those who died in service, dinner and remarks from an honored guest speaker. Dancing began after the closing remarks.

Retired Soldier for Life and Military Intelligence Officer Col. Eric B. Keys was the honored guest speaker at the ball. He took the opportunity to speak to give advice to the Cadets in the form of  a series of phrases to live by. These rules covered both excelling in professional and personal life. 

“Your most valuable asset is your integrity,” said Col. Keys. 

Col. Keys told the cadets about a situation he faced during his service where he had to guard his integrity. A friend of his entered his unit, but that friend did not finish an army physical fitness test run. He made the decision whether to pass his friend against the truth or fail him. Col.Keys failed his friend saying it was the right thing to do, and that his friend understood why he did not lie.

“I’d like to think he wouldn’t be good friend if he asked me to do that,” said Col. Keys.

Col. Keys gave more advice on life which covered asking for assignments and the challenges of being a minority in the military. His last piece of advice was about giving and receiving mentorship.

“I challenge you to find someone to mentor to show them how life supposed to be,” said Col. Keys

Among the attendees was Cadet Aric Mackay, recipient of the Sons of the American Revolution ROTC medal. According to the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, recipients “are direct descendants of those patriots that achieved the independence of the American people and the objectives of the organization are intended to perpetuate a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers.”

“It is a great honor to have received this award since it has such a great tradition,” said Cadet Commander Mackay. .