Some Veterans Require Assistance
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
(Freddie Herpin Photos)
Gestures of kindness, concern and recognition should be directed towards U.S. military veterans as much as possible, the featured speaker pointed out to a large audience on Wednesday during the eight annual Hat’s Off To Veterans luncheon held at the Yambilee Building.
Keynote speaker Elena Branzaru, a Louisiana Veterans Commission representative told those who attended the Wednesday noon banquet that traditionally honors about 100 St. Landry Parish veterans.
Branzaru, a former member of the Marine Corps said it would be appropriate if people would often ask themselves what they can do to support former military personnel.
Parish Veterans Memorial director Pat Mason Guillory, dedicated the program to Jerome Gaudet, an Opelousas architect who devoted over 20 years to helping develop the Memorial Park located on U.S. 182 south of Opelousas.
“He was my right hand, my left hand and someone who always had my back,” Guillory said as she introduced members of the Gaudet family.
Gaudet, who died earlier this year, was the person who Guillory said made the Veterans Memorial a reality.
“The memorial is going to continue his legacy,” Guilory added about the impact that Gaudet had on the construction of the project which started in 2004.
After the Magnet Academy For The Cultural Arts Dance Group performed the annual “Tribute To Veterans”, each veteran in attendance was recognized by name and their years of service in the U.S. military.
Veterans were paraded down a red carpet and were presented with gift bags after they strolled underneath a Northwest High School Army ROTC honor guard.
The event also featured several “spotlighted” veterans that included Vickie Charles, Stephanie Tezeno, Brandi Lebas, Debra Savoy, Randy Aymond and David Smith.
Guillory also introduced special guest retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Willliam Johnson, a 94-year-old veteran who flew helicopter rescue missions in Vietnam.
State, parish and local elected officials who provided brief remarks were parish president Jessie Bellard, Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor, District 24 state senator Gerald Boudreaux and District 40 state representative Dustin Miller.
