The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
VETERAN AWARDED
Flag Day celebration highlights service member returning from deployment
Wellington was awash in the stars and stripes June 14 as the community and NN Inc. gathered to celebrate Flag Day and one of their own who returned from a deployment to Kuwait.
Robert H. Moulder had spent nearly a year serving with the Army National Guard in Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
This was Moulder’s third deployment. His two previous tours were in Afghanistan.
Moulder has been a senior mechanic with NN Inc. since 2014.
The company’s CEO, Rich Holder, himself a veteran, was on hand to present Moulder with the inaugural President’s Award.
In speaking before presenting the award, Holder talked about the changing view of veterans in
This was Moulder’s third deployment. His two previous tours were in Afghanistan.
American civilian life.
“Robert joined the Marine Corp in 1982, I went in, in 1981,” he said. “And I will tell you, at that time it wasn’t in vogue to be in the military.
“It was tough on both sides. The folks that trained you were Vietnam folks and they were not treated well, and it showed on their faces and we hurt for them.
“The civilians didn’t take us seriously, because we hadn’t had a conflict that civilians knew about. So, they didn’t understand the need for the deepseeded want and desire to protect one’s country and protect one’s freedom.”
Holder said that to join the Marines, especially, one has to have a desire to be there and to protect the freedoms we all enjoy.
After Moulder received the award, both he and Holder gave each other special challenge coins.
Moulder also presented Holder with a flag that
flew over his base in Kuwait, which was briefly hung from the flagpole in front of one of the company’s two Wellington facilities before it was placed in a special case for display.
Moulder thanked those in attendance, NN Inc. and members of the VFW Post 6941 who were on hand.
He also began to choke in thanking someone dear to his heart: his wife, Jackie Moulder.
“Without her, I’d not have been able to do all that I do,” Moulder said. “We got married in September, and in April I was gone.
“She took care of everything while I was gone, and I’m so proud of her.”
Wellington Mayor Hans Schneider, also a veteran, commended NN Inc. for its treatment of veterans.
“When I see an event like NN is doing today, I know you guys are right on track with what you need to be doing, investing in people; not just veterans, but the people who work for you,” Schneider said. “That makes me proud to be mayor of this village.”