Wreaths Salute Veterans
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Families of American military veterans were remembered on Friday during an annual Wreaths Across America ceremony held at the Bobby Dupre Visitors Center adjacent to the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial.
Special presentations were made to the families of five parish families whose sons died during their service in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Patricia Mason-Guillory, executive director of the Veterans Memorial project, challenged those who attended the event to leave the ceremony and remember the contributions of service members.
“Go home and tell a friend, church member or someone near you in remembering the fallen. God gave back to me and in return I have continued to contribute by honoring those families who have served our country,” said Mason-Guillory.
Martin Roy III, U.S. Army Chief Warrant officer with the National Guard, was the keynote speaker.
Wal-Mart distribution driver Sterling Wright provided an analysis of how the company participates and transports wreaths provided for the Wreaths Across America observances held in the United States every second or third Saturday each December.
It’s estimated that at least three million Christmas wreaths are delivered nationwide in order that they can be distributed to veterans and veterans families.
A special posthumous remembrance wreath presentation ceremony honored Army Staff Sgt. Craig Davis, Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Reed, Marine Lance Cpl. Myles Sebastien, Army Staff Sgt. Jarred Fontenot and Army Sgt. Joseph A. Richard III, who died during the Iraq and Afghanistan war.
A color guard and assistance for the event was provided by the Northwest High School Junior Army ROTC.
