Photograph: St. Landry Parish veterans listen to presentations during the commemoration event Wednesday at the parish Veteran’s Memorial. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
A few tears, occasional smiles and revived memories were evident on the faces of many St. Landry Parish Vietnam veterans Wednesday morning as they were honored for their contributions during a war that ended 50 years ago.
“I can’t imagine what you went through and it’s amazing the sacrifices that all of you made and did what you did,” said Pat Mason-Guillory who addressed the group of veterans during the ceremony held at the parish Veteran’s Memorial.
Mason-Guillory, the executive director of the Memorial located on La. 182 south of Opelousas, said she decided to host the event in conjunction with statewide and national observances of the Vietnam conflict.
“There was an event sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs in Baton Rouge Wednesday, but many of our Vietnam Veterans couldn’t go all the way to Baton Rouge, so I decided we should hold our own event,” Mason-Guillory said.
Despite chilly temperatures and occasional rain, 25 veterans attended the event. Each of them was presented with a gold commemorative coin and a free lunch provided by Evangeline Downs.
A reserved parking spot for Vietnam veterans was unveiled at the Memorial as the event concluded.
The 1960’s Motown hit “My Girl” and John Lennon’s “Imagine,” performed by the Magnet Academy of Cultural Arts choir, brightened the moods of some veterans, as many of them quietly sang the lyrics of both songs.
Mason-Guillory also reminded the veterans that she and her group of volunteers are prepared to assist the veterans.
“We are here for you and we are willing to listen if you just want to come in and talk and share with us,” said Mason-Guillory.
Former Palmetto and North Central high school coach Kermit Thomas said he and the other veterans appreciated the program.
Thomas said he spent 14 months in Vietnam, serving primarily with the U.S. Army Ninth Infantry. Much of that time Thomas recalled, was spent patrolling the delta region south of Saigon.
“It was a pretty hot area when I was there (1967-68) and I was pinned down a number of times, as we spent hours taking fire and firing back until we called in the gunships to get us out,” Thomas said.
Francis Singleton spent his much of his tour of Vietnam as a U.S. Army mechanic and member of the motor pool in the Chu Lai area. Singleton remembers ducking sniper fire just seven days before he shipped out of the country.
“I come out here often to visit the Memorial. I really enjoyed (the ceremony) and I appreciate everything that was done for us (on Wednesday),” said Singleton.
Twenty-five years U.S. Air Force veteran Joseph Lea served in Vietnam (1971-72) as an electronics specialist. Lea remembered spending several months in the northern portion of South Vietnam and other areas closer to Saigon.
“I went (to Vietnam) after I attended a special electronics school. I can’t say too much about what I did, because all of that is still regarded as classified,” said Lea.
Lea said the event on Wednesday evoked mostly good memories.
However Lee acknowledged that he has always remembered a good friend who was killed in an air accident before the man left for overseas duty.
Mason Doucet, an eight-year-old student at Mother Of Peace Catholic School in Church Point, brought a photo of Thomas Norman, his great grandfather, who served in Vietnam.
Doucet told those who attended that became interested in researching the Vietnam conflict, after learning about his grandfather’s service.
