SARGENT – Students in Sargent and Burwell got an up close look at a Lakota helicopter Wednesday morning as the Nebraska National Guard landed at the high school football fields in each town.
Brigadier General Gary Ropers is a graduate of Sargent High School and spoke with students about the opportunities the Guard can provide them after graduation. He said he enjoyed being able to visit his hometown.
Ropers is in his 43rd year with the National Guard after joining in 1981 between his junior and senior years of high school. He said he spoke to students about the benefits offered by the guard, such as tuition payment for college, health care and the opportunity to be a leader. He also told them about the variety of roles available.
Students were given the chance to sit inside the helicopter as well as a military Humvee and ask Ropers a wide range of questions about his experiences with the National Guard.
