Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., paid tribute to the U.S. Air Force during its Sept. 25 home game, with the Secretary of the Air Force throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Among those honored that evening was a member of HII’s extended family.
Gary Rogeness, a senior director of business development at Mission Technologies, attended the game with his family, including his 96-year-old father-in-law, Henry “Rudy” St. Laurent, who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. St. Laurent’s name was displayed on the ballpark’s screens in recognition of his service.
“Being able to honor him, his service to our country, and support to our family meant so much to my wife Michelle and I,” Rogeness said. “He watches nearly every Nats game on the TV, and his daughter Barb and son-on-law Mike are huge Nats fans, so getting him to the park with them to see a game in person was really special.”
St. Laurent joined the Merchant Marines after high school in 1945. He spent his early days maintaining and operating the equipment in the engine room aboard the SS Sideling Hill, a Liberty ship built on the Gulf Coast. He also served as a fireman and water tender and said that the ships were being built so fast that, in Sideling Hill’s case, the “fitting out” period consisted of installing packing around the valve stems in all the valves.
Later, St. Laurent served on the SS Henry T. Gibbons, which was an Army transport stationed in Newport News, Virginia. There, he worked in the officer’s mess, moving up from third to second “pantry man,” where he humorously noted that he “became an expert at cutting up onions and lettuce for the salads they served.”
“When I learned about the variety of his service as a young man from New Jersey, from engine room to officers’ mess, he did what needed to be done,” Rogeness said. “It reminds me that whether you are part of the crew of a ship going to sea or on the team that builds it, no job is small. It takes everyone pulling in the same direction to get the job done.”
“In most cases, people that serve prefer to stay in the background, do their jobs, and make their contributions to our society, not wanting a lot of fanfare,” said Rogeness, himself a 41-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. “Rudy is no different; he’s a very humble guy. Recognizing veterans at public events, making them feel special, reminds them that what they did was important and reminds the public they serve of the sacrifices so many men and women make on a day-to-day basis. Our service men and women work in dangerous environments, separated from their families and loved ones to serve a higher purpose. Highlighting service in this way not only gives the community a chance to say ‘thank you,’ but provides parents a teaching moment with their children about those that chose to serve.”
