St. John Parish salutes local Veterans
Published 12:10 am Saturday, July 7, 2018
- Karen Wilson, Coast Guard; stands behind Joanne Gray, Robert J. Gray Sr., Army; Joseph Coleman, Army and Rose Mary Coleman.
RESERVE — More than 300 Veterans attended Tuesday’s special luncheon, organizers said, part of St. John the Baptist Parish’s annual Independence Day celebration of veterans.
Lloyd Alexander, Army
Parish President Natalie Robottom, Sheriff Mike Tregre, Parish Council members and local and state leaders attended to express their appreciation at a packed REGALA Gymnasium in Reserve.
The annual event paid homage to deceased veterans and service members with a video tribute, lunch and Veterans salute.
Those standing are Carey Gauff, Army; from left, Errol Williams Sr., Air Force; and Willie Wallace, Army. The gentlemen are joined by Beverly Gauff, sitting from left, Daphne Williams and Lorraine Wallace.
Don Pierson, secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, was the keynote speaker and thanked attendees for their service and contribution.
Congressman Garret Graves also stopped by to pay reverence to local Veterans.
Joseph Stein, 7th Infantry, Army, WWII and wife Leana Stein
Later in the evening, thousands gathered on the grounds of St. Peter’s Church and the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church to commemorate the holiday with food, fun and music. The event was filmed and broadcast live on the government access channel.
— Submitted by St. John Communications.
Alton Jasmine, Air Force & Landry Mathieu, Air Force
Rotarians, from left, Betty Martin, Demetria Carter, Artis Williams, Gordon Taylor and Mary Alltmont help at the Veterans Lunch.
John “Sully” Sullivan, Navy, Vietnam; is joined by Stephen “Goose” Randall, Navy, Iraq; and Drew “Jab” Boutte, Navy, Vietnam.
