A crowd of veterans, their families, and local citizens gathered on the Natchitoches Riverbank, Monday, Nov 11 for the Natchitoches Veterans Memorial Park Committee’s annual Veterans’ Day program. Master of Ceremonies, NSU ROTC Alumni, and Army combat veteran, Jeremy Miller, began the event which opened with an invocation from Pastor Tommy Rush and posting of the colors by a well drilled and sharp looking NCHS Junior ROTC.
Goldonna principal Ms. Cori Gordy Manuel performed a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner after which Leah Gordy led the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Donna Masson of the Cane River Stitchers presented several local veterans with handmade quilts from the group.
The superb NCHS Choir, under the direction of Mr. Matthew Armand, performed “Thank You Soldiers” after which the Veterans’ Park’s new memorial bricks were dedicated.
Marthaville principal and former Army Infantry officer William Gordy introduced the guest speaker, retired Air Force Colonel Nettles Brown who gave the Veterans Day keynote address.
Amy veteran Jerry McWherter delivered the closing prayer after which Janet and Geo Darfus, joined by Julia Brown led the crowd in singing “God Bless America”, a traditional ending to each year’s ceremony.
From the oldest veteran in attendance to the youngest person in the audience, ceremonies like this one serve to bind us together as a community.
