The Natchitoches Veterans & Memorial Park will host its annual Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m. at the park located at Second and Church streets in Natchitoches.
Organizers are inviting the public to attend the ceremony honoring the men and women of Natchitoches Parish who gave their lives in service to the United States.
Visitors entering the park and walking toward the fountain can view bronze plaques bearing the names of fallen service members from Natchitoches Parish dating back to World War I.
During the Memorial Day program, organizers will also recognize and honor deceased parish veterans who passed away during the past year. Officials expressed gratitude to the veterans and their families for their service both in the military and throughout the community.
The guest speaker for this year’s event will be retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Sean D. Wester. Organizers said attendees will hear stories from his more than 30 years of military service, training, deployments, missions, and leadership experiences.
The program will also include the dedication of four new commemorative bricks recently added to the park. The bricks will honor:
- James Randy Dupree, SP4 in the U.S. Army
- Mechelen Van Melder, Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force
- Lucky Pericles Sprowl, Master Sergeant, who served in the U.S. Army, Louisiana Army National Guard, and U.S. Air Force Reserves
- Cecil Ray “Chuck” Wyatt, Staff Sergeant, who served in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, Georgia Army National Guard, and Louisiana Army National Guard
Music for the event will be provided with support from Jessie Dunn of Well-Dunn Productions, who will assist singers and musicians during the ceremony.
Organizers said the event serves as an opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance and appreciation of the sacrifices made by military service members for the freedoms enjoyed by Americans today.