The Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park Committee will present the annual Memorial Day Program on May 30 at 10 A.M. on the Downtown Riverbank Stage. Senator Louie Bernard will be the Keynote Speaker, which includes showcasing two local WWII Veterans and the stories of their Valor . These two Veterans are:
Col Randall Keator, U. S. Air Force, Distinguished Service Cross
James D. McNeal, French Legion of Honor
There will be a tour of the Veterans Park at 9 A.M. to view the newly installed bricks honoring Veteransand their families. These Veterans and/or families will be recognized during the 10 A.M. Program. Anyone interested in touring the Park is invited. The Park recently received new plants and foliage that will be in full bloom in May. The Natchitoches Master Gardeners Club was responsible for the cleaning and planting of the new shrubs and flowers, with members of the Park Committee assisting.
Last November, for Veterans Day, we honored our Vietnam Era Veterans. Many had not been recognized for their service since their return from serving. All men and women were invited to be recognized regardless of their assignments during the Vietnam Era. The following list are the men and women who received recognition from The Vietnam Commemorative Program from the Pentagon, and received a Congressional Certificate of Honor from Representative Mike Johnson. Ms. Lee Turner, his administrative assistant, presented the certificates, and our city and parish officials presented, medals, pins, and stickers to all these Natchitoches Parish Veterans.
Veterans Honored included:
Ambrose Airhart
Frank Beaudion, Sr.
Linus Brou
Lesh Nettles Brown
P. Ronald Brown
Margaret Wheat Carter
Charles M. Dalme
Janet Martin Darfus
Charlie Davis, Jr.
Ernest L. Davis
Lionel Dawson, Sr.
Edwin Dunahoe
John Dykes
Thomas D. Elkins
Roy Evans
Tim Felchle
Deanna Fowler
Leonard T. Fowler
Frank Fuller
Woodrow Leo Gay
Robert Gillan
Garlin A. Hernandez
Melvin Holmes
Richard Hooter
Richard V. Hudson
Demelvin R. Johnson
Jerry E. Jones
Steven Jones
Tom Jones
Wallace Gene LaCaze
E.J. Lapeyrouse, Jr.
Henry V. Maggio, Sr.
F. George Markley
John A. Masson
Rickey C. McCalister
Calvin McFerrin
Charles L. McNeely
Foy William Melder
Ferdinand M. Menou
Daniel Methvin
Donald R. Montet
Dennis V. Morgan
Douglas Wayne Nelson
Ken Newhauser
Charles Payton
Earnest Payton, Jr.
Ray Ponthieux
Bob Rachal
John Robertson
David Shumpert
R. Frank Sims
Brenda Sowell
Billy D. Spillman
Wilmer Spurgeon
Thomas J. Stewart, Jr.
Christopher Sylvia
Siggie Sylvia, Jr.
Joe M. Taitano
George L. Toal
Charles Washington
Burton D. Weaver, Jr.
Roger H. Williams
Randall A. Williams
Clarence Williams
David Zolzer
