By Kimberly Hopson

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Kent St. Amant said he wasn’t nicknamed the “Mayor of Crevasse” for no reason.

The U.S. Army veteran was born and raised in the area and claims to know everyone. He volunteers at several different organizations, such as the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home. He also said that he is the Parent Teacher Association president at Emily C. Watkins Elementary.

Based on his experience with the Veteran’s Affair’s system, St. Amant said service men and women leaving the armed forces could use some extra guidance.

“The biggest part (of leaving the military) is the acclimation back into civilian life. A lot of people need to educate themselves more on what is really involved in serving your country,” he said. “I am heavily involved in transitioning soldiers from military to not only civilian life but into Veterans Affairs life.

“The VA is a big organization. A lot of these guys coming out today are in way worse shape than I’ll ever be in, and they don’t know the first thing about it. They’re not getting good guidance. That’s why I’m advocating for the young soldiers, to make sure they get everything they’re entitled to.”

St. Amant began in law enforcement with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, where he worked for five years.

The veteran said that he grew up with a love for the law enforcement field because his grandfather had been a police officer, and his uncle, John O. St. Amant, was sheriff of St. Charles Parish.

His military career began in 1999, and he worked in the motor pool during the Gulf War.

St. Amant did not face combat but doesn’t think that his service was less valuable because of it.

“Everybody thinks front line combat is the heart and soul of the army, but it’s not. It’s got to have its support system. I was in the motor pool where we fixed the hummers and ran maintenance on them,” said St. Amant.

“The military was a great acquisition for me because it was what I was used to in law enforcement. It was how I carried out my life — discipline. Having a routine is the majority of what military life is. I craved that. It had everything I’ve ever done. It’s exercise, proper diet, serious discipline. You are given tasks, and the whole objective is whether or not you can complete that objective on your own,” he continued.

At some point during his career, he suffered a major traumatic brain injury after he took a a six-foot-high tumble onto concrete. St. Amant said he was hospitalized for five days and experienced vertigo, blackouts and other more severe symptoms. He was honorably discharged in 2007 after eight years of service, but St. Amant said the effects of his fall worsen as he ages.

St. Amant is still a bit insecure about his discharge because he does not feel that he accomplished his goal of being a career serviceman, but the veteran said he has a new mission to fulfill.

“My mission when I wake up each and every day of my life: if I can touch one person’s life in a positive way every day, I’ve fulfilled my obligation. I live by that,” he said.