NATCHITOCHES – In continuing its tradition of honoring those who serve in the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University named Staff Sergeant Valerie Minchew, U.S. Air Force Retired, and Chief Warrant Officer Four John Robertson, U.S. Navy Retired, honorary captains during the Southland Conference Soccer Championship Tournament held on campus last week.
Minchew, a communications non-commissioned officer, served over 13 years in the Air Force. Her military occupational specialty was high frequency air-to-ground radio operations. She served during Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Besides sending out command and control messages, she noted that a favorite work task during that time was connecting members of the military in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and aboard ships in the Persian Gulf with morale calls home to their loved ones via radio patch to telephone connections.
After Desert Storm, Minchew was reassigned to a classified location to work directly with a unit that flew U-2 spy planes. She recalled, “I provided their air-to-ground command and control communication.” She continued, “I had the pleasure of experiencing the thrill of chasing the ‘Dragon Lady,’ as the U-2 is lovingly called, at takeoff to collect her ejected pogo’s and at landing to be wing counterweight in preparation for reattachment of pogo’s for taxiing to the hangar. It was quite a thrill to find we lifted from the ground; I was riding her wing in flight!” Pogo is a fall-away wheel system that is reattached to U-2 wings upon landing.
Her awards and decorations include the Air Force Individual Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon (four short and two long tours) and the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal.
Minchew is originally from Miami, Florida, but is proud to call Natchitoches her home. Since leaving the military, she has dedicated her time and effort to improving the lives of local veterans. For over 17 years, she served as the Veteran’s representative for the Natchitoches office of the State Workforce Commission where she provided services to aid in veterans’ return to work, whether through job services, education or both.
In 2020, Minchew started Louisiana’s first WoVeN group, which is an acronym for the Women Veterans Network. Their mission is to empower women Veterans with information, education, and resources to improve their quality of life. She plans to grow the group throughout the state of Louisiana.
Robertson retired from the Navy after serving over 30 years as an Administrative Officer. He served in Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and his final assignment was with the Defense Intelligence Agency, American Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand.
Robertson is a 2008 graduate of the University of Phoenix. His awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th Award), Navy Unit Commendation Medal (4th Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal (4th Award), Navy “E” Ribbons (7th Award), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (9th Award), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (6th Award), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Robertson is a Natchitoches native. When asked about his favorite memory of his service, he replied, “being commissioned as a Naval officer!”
Pictured:
Staff Sergeant Valerie Minchew was escorted by Chris Grant, Southland Conference Soccer Commissioner.
Chief Warrant Officer Four John Robertson was escorted on field by NSU Athletic Director Kevin Bostian.
