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Look Ahead: Veteran’s Day celebrations across Acadiana

Posted at 12:15 PM, Nov 04, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-05 10:02:04-05

November 11 is Veterans Day, the date set aside annually in the United States held on the anniversary of the end of World War I to honor US veterans and victims of all wars.

There are several events scheduled for the coming week to mark the day across Acadiana:

MONDAY: The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs will break ground on the fifth and final cemetery, which will be located near the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home on Evangeline Road in Jennings.  This new cemetery will serve all of southwest Louisiana from the Texas border to the Atchafalaya basin up to Leesville, 80 miles from Jennings. The parishes being served include: Allen, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, St. Landry, and Vernon parishes.

All members and Veterans of the armed forces are eligible to be buried in an LDVA state cemetery as long as they have met minimum active-duty service requirements and were honorably discharged. Members of the reserve armed forces who die while on active duty, while on training duty or were eligible for retired pay, or were called to active duty and served the full term of service, may also be eligible for burial. Their spouse, widow or widower, minor children and, under some conditions, adult unmarried children with disabilities can be buried in the VA cemetery. Eligible Veterans can be relocated to the new cemetery, but costs associated with relocation would be the responsibility of the family.

THURSDAY:  Fort Polk will be hosting a “welcome home” event for Vietnam Veterans on Thursday. The event is for all veterans, but a special welcome home is planned for Vietnam veterans. The event begins at 10 a.m. at the 1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment hangar. Vietnam veterans will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Bayou Theater. Buses will transport them to the ceremony. Families will be asked to meet their Vietnam veteran at the hangar after the ceremony is complete. All other veterans will go directly to the hangar.

In Morgan City, The St. Mary Parish Council and St. Mary CAA will hold a Veteran’s Day Luncheon at the St. Mary Senior Center located at 4014 Chennault Street in Morgan City. The event begins at 10:00 am and feature guest speaker Fred Stevenson, Facility Planner for Southeast Louisiana HealthCare System.

FRIDAY:  There are several events set for today.

In Abbeville, JH WIlliams Middle School is hosting a Veterans Day celebration at 1 p.m. in the commons area.

In Lafayette, there will be a Veteran’s Day Pinning Ceremony at Gardenview Assisted Living. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and is hosted by Heart of Hospice.

In Lake Charles, Army Cpl. Edward M. Jones, who died during the Korean War and was accounted for on Sept. 13, 2018, will be buried in his hometown with full military honors. The burial will take place at noon in Highland Cemetery. According to his obituary, Corporal Jones was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded and taken Prisoner of War in South Korea on February 12, 1951. He died as a Prisoner on March 16, 1951.

In Carencro, Carencro Middle School will present their annual Veterans’s program at 9:30 am in the school gym. This program will honor local veterans for their duty and service to our country. The band and choir will perform for the program. Veterans and spouses and community leaders are invited to the event.

In Lafayette, the House of Faith Church and Oil of Joy Faith Ministries will host the A Salute To Veterans in historic Pontiac Point Park, 100 Moss St., from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. Miss Bee’s Chuckwagon Food Truck will be on site. For details, call 337-315-7472.

SATURDAY:

There are several events scheduled for today:

In Youngsville, First Baptist Church Youngsville cordially invites all Military and their families to attend a Veterans Luncheon at 11 a.m.  The luncheon will celebrate and honor veterans for their service to our country There will be patriotic music, a guest speaker, and a full honor guard to present flags as well as a 21 gun salute. Special recognitions and door prizes will follow. Please call 337 856 5806 to make reservations.

In St. Martinville, the City of St. Martinville, along with Isidore Lewis, Jr. American Legion Post 419, will host a St. Martinville Veterans Day Celebration from 9am – 3pm at Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site.

All veterans are invited for a fellowship breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30am. The Veterans Day ceremony begins at 9am with a flag raising, followed by the pledge and a 21-gun salute. A special veteran guest speaker has been invited. There will also be a special tribute to veterans who were POWS. A Veteran`s Prayer will end these ceremonies. The Cajun and Creole Cookers will be out that day, and a meal will be served at noon. There also will be breakout sessions for boys; for more information contact City Hall at 337-394-2230 or at stmchc@bellsouth.net

In Carencro, the Carencro Veterans Memorial invites all veterans and members of the public to the annual Veterans Day Celebration. The patriotic celebration honors the service and sacrifice of our military men and women. A special tribute will be given to Vietnam War veterans. Planned activities include a student art display, music and refreshments. The Carencro Veterans Memorial is adjacent to City Hall at 210 E. St. Peter Street in downtown Carencro.

SUNDAY:

In Lake Charles, The Golden Nugget casino’s Blue Martini lounge will host a fundraiser for A City of Refuge, a shelter for veterans located in Vinton. The Red, White & Blue Bash opens at noon for NFL football viewing with food and drink specials throughout the day. Live entertainment begins at 4 p.m. when Three Thirty Seven takes the stage, followed by local favorite Gyth Rigdon at 7 pm. DJ Jose Mata will keep the party going until close. Admission is free. Must be 21 years or older to attend. To reserve a table, please call 337.508.4108.

MONDAY:

To thank America’s veterans for their endless service and dedication, Denny’s is inviting all active, inactive and military personnel into its booths on Monday, Nov. 12 from 5 a.m. to noon to enjoy a free Build Your Own Grand Slam®. The offer is valid for dine-in only from 5 a.m. to noon with a valid military ID or DD 214.