The 2026 VFW and American Legion Service Awards Ceremony was held Thursday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Robertson-Lewis Post 2483. Opening remarks were made by Jesse Perry, VFW Post 2483 commander, followed by the invocation given by Post Chaplain Leo Franklin. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Merlin Ventress, Post 2483 vice commander and American Legion and Amerian Legion Post 45 vice commander.
Following the introductions awards were presented to: Quinn Mulderick, K-3, Ecole St. Landry; Natalie Arceneaux, Opelousas Catholic, VFW Patriot Pen; SSG Ava Prestenbach, NWHS. American Legion ROTC Award; LTC Keithhan Vidito, NWHS, VFW ROTC Award; Braydon Fontenot, Opelousas Catholic, Ameridan Legion 2025 Boys State Appreciation Award; Kamon Davis, David Thibodeaux Stem Magnet Academy, VFW Voice of Democracy Award;
Presentation of service awards by Post Commander Jesse Perry:
Lee Ritter, American Legion Citizen of the Year; Kaitlin Franchebois, American Legion Educator or the Year, Park Vista Elementary; Sarah Keys, VFW Educator of the Year, Port Barre Elementary
Preswntation of the Public Safety Awards by Chaplain Leo Franklin:
VFW Dispatcher of the Year, Captain A’Mya Edmond, SLP Sheriff’s Dept.; VFW Firefighter of the Year Award, Captain Varsha Rideau, Opelousas Fire Departments; VFW Paramedic of the Year, Morgan Calloura, Acadian Ambulance; Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, Chase Melamcon, Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department. The award recipients are pictured below
