Veterans Remembered With Wreaths
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writers
Commemorative Christmas wreaths were presented Saturday morning to U.S. military veterans and their family members during the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony held inside the Visitors Center located at the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial..
The program marked the fourth consecutive year that the parish was included by Wal-Mart in the yearly nationwide project that for 13 years has distributed three million balsam Christmas wreaths at 4,200 locations nationwide.
Wal-Mart distribution center representative Michael Bellchamber said the St. Landry Veterans Memorial located off La. 182 south of Opelousas, has become a regular stop on the annual wreath caravan that involves 118 drivers.
Bellchamber reminded those attending that the purpose of the non-profit Wreaths effort is to remember U.S. military members, including those who died during their service in addition to their families.
The distribution of the wreaths normally begins in Maine and then spreads across the rest of America, said Bellchamber.
Sterling Wright, one of the tractor-trailer drivers who has participated previously in delivering the wreaths, told the crowd that initially he did not realize the importance of the wreaths distribution.
However Wright said that during his second year of delivering wreaths, he became aware of the importance of donating the wreaths which he noted honors the families of service members and teaches freedom to a younger audience.
The entrance of the wreaths, including the one that occurred Thursday in St. Landry, Wright added, included a veterans motorcycle escort.
Retired U.S. Lt. Army Col. Gregory Ellison, a senior advisor to the U.S. Congressman Clay Higgins, said wreath ceremonies that are being conducted throughout America this weekend, are signaling the importance of “selfless service and setting an example of the sacrifices that have been made by U.S. servicemen.
Ellison added that his Uncle Bill, a 35-year-old U.S. infantryman who fought through Europe with the Army beginning with the June, 1944, D-Day invasion, was taken prisoner by the Germans during combat inside the Hurtgen Forest.
His uncle, Ellison noted, died in captivity and was being honored along with others on Saturday in Liege, Belgium, at the veterans cemetery located near the town.
Special wreath presentations were made to members of the five parish gold star families, whose sons died during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Four parish council members — Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Ken Marks and Wayne Ardoin – who attended the event, were also given wreaths.
Gabriella Harris, a student who attends the Magnet Academy For The Cultural Arts, provided music selections that included “Amazing Grace” and “Battle Hymn Of The Republic.”
