With honor and gratitude Pat Mason-Guillory and volunteers from the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial presented the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Yambilee Building and the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial.
Following the invocation by Pastor Dale Fopntenot and greetings from St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard, Sen. Gerald Boudreaux and Mayor Julius Alsandor, Kyle Hidalgo, Southeastern Louisiana University student president spoke on Memorial Day and what it means to him. Keynoite speaker for the event was Retired Col. Charlton J. Meginley, USAF and Secretary, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs for the state of Louisiana.
The presentation of the MIA/POW Table was presented by Jennifer Zachary and Retired MSGT Joseph Lea, USAF retired. One of the more touching events of the ceremony was the Bell of Honor which tolled as a sign of respect and honor for fallen heroes who have given their all. It was conducted by Richard Badeaux, agriculture teacher St. Martin Parish School District.
Gold Star Mothers and family members were recognized and honored by SLPVM committee memberws Rhonda Hollier and Martha J. Ford. A blessing of the families was given by Rev. Laurent De Prins, Episcopal Church of the Epiphany rector. Following a recital of the poem, In Flanders Field, by Patricia Perry the rest of the program was moved to the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial where a 21 gun salute and the raising of the American Flag was raised to close the program. Music was provided by Phyllis Fisher
