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Family continues to honor memory of Loreauville Mayor Al Broussard

Posted at 5:57 AM, Mar 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-30 19:47:33-04

In just a few days, the 3rd Annual Mayor Al Memorial 5k will take over the streets of Loreauville to honor a man who gave his all, not only to his family but everyone he met.

For three years people from all over Acadiana have been lacing up their running shoes and slipping into their yellow crocs to honor a man who gave all he had to those around him.

“It’s really hard to do. It puts us in memories every day when we’re in planning mode,” says Broussard’s daughter Ashlie Boutte. “It’s a lot of hustle and business but brings back a lot of memories.”

Al Broussard was killed in 2015 after someone crossed the center line, hitting his car head-on.
Heartbroken, his family and friends pushed forward making sure Al’s life didn’t end on that fateful day but continues through the many projects he held dear to his heart.

“The first year, my sister and I thought we would raise maybe $5,000 on the high end. We shocked ourselves when we were able to give a $23,000 check,” says Boutte. “We’re going to keep going and going.”

Ashlie is talking about the “New Acadia” project. It’s an organization dedicated to locating, identifying and investigating the18th-century homesteads and unmarked gravesites of Acadian exiles in South Louisiana.
All together the Mayor Al Memorial 5k gave over $40,000 to the organization.

“We need support. We need additional support,” says Professor of Anthropology and Archeology Mark Rees. “The bulk of this goes toward student assistance to provide a stipend for students to serve as assistant supervisors. Money for transportation and equipment.”

But now, Ashlie says, it’s time to take the donations a step further.  Together with the help of Loreauville’s mayor Brad Clifton, a new monument will stand in the city. One of thirteen in the world and only two in the United States.

“The Acadian Odyssey Monument is a marker that’s given out by a group in Canada,” says Clifton. “It’s specifically designated for important areas in Acadian history.”

And for a man who truly embraced his Acadian roots, it’s only fitting that that monument will stand in a park dedicated to Mayor Al and the memories he left behind.

Registration is still open for the run which will take place at Loreauville Park on Saturday, March 30, 2019.

To take part in the 5k, click here. And for more information on the event and Mayor Broussard visit the Mayor Al Broussard 5k eventFacebook Page.