Each Wednesday, L’Observateur recognizes individuals and businesses in the River Parishes who have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.

We believe an integral part of a community’s wellbeing is an attitude and arena where people who do good things … who work to improve life for others … who try to make a difference … are recognized and saluted.

Because this is a salute to members of the community of the entire River Parishes, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• LaPlace native Phillip Faucheux, who recently took over command of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 54 at the Belle Chasse Naval Air Station. Faucheux is a 1988 graduate of St. Charles Catholic High School who began his military career more than 20 years ago.

• Lutcher High School graduate Terry Remondet, who, upon completion of his final day of high school, accomplished the incredibly rare feat of completely perfect attendance. Remondet did not miss one day of school in 12 years.

• Departing West St. John High School teachers Kate Esposito and James Kline for their commitment to the region as part of the Teach for America program. The pair spent two years at West St. John and left an indelible mark on the minds of many of the school’s students.

• Employees of Children’s World clothing store in LaPlace, who packed a cargo trailer with old, obsolete school uniforms that will be sent overseas to less fortunate regions. The store donated the uniforms to a Bogalusa church, which sent them to a Gulfport, Miss., organization that will send the clothing overseas with a shipment of Bibles.