thedrifter
05-27-07, 04:59 AM
Survivors remember fallen for Memorial Day
Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com
Dwayne Broussard found the name of an old high school friend on the wall and touched it for a moment.
His friend, Farrell James Vice, was killed in action in Vietnam at age 21, not long after graduating from Henry High School.
As Lafayette Parish public schools held graduation ceremonies Saturday, Broussard and other members of the Abbeville-based American Legion Riders participated in a Memorial Day program at Veterans Park on Feu Follett Road.
"We're a fairly new chapter," Broussard said of his group of motorcyclists. "We provide escorts at funerals for any family of military personnel in Vermilion Parish, and we're proud to participate in this program today."
The Vietnam Veterans of America, Acadiana Chapter No. 141, sponsored the gathering under shade trees as well as tents provided for the program. The Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club, Leathernecks and Patriot Guard Riders also were among those on hand.
Owning the spotlight Saturday were Louisiana's 83 Gold Star families, who have lost loved ones in military service during the current war on terror abroad.
"My son, Brandon, joined the Air Force because of 9/11," Broussard said. "He now is a senior airman and does intelligence work. It's a six-year commitment, and it looks like he could make a career of it."
Broussard had taken a moment to visit the wall in the park that lists Acadiana-area military personnel lost in Vietnam, a list with ages ranging from 18 to 47 at the time of their deaths. While he dreads seeing Brandon's name on any such wall in the future, Broussard knows it's possible.
"One of the most important things we do is to remind people of the sacrifices made," he said. "It's very important to know. It tells you where you came from.
"I have the freedom to ride wherever I want. We have the freedom to gather, the freedom to join the military, or not. A lot of places in the world don't have that freedom. You also have the freedom in this country to protest the military."
Across the parish, in ceremonies at VFW Post 9822 in Judice, former VFW state commander Lincoln Savoie spoke of the ultimate sacrifice made by military personnel.
"Something is missing in this world," he said. "We're missing world peace, but it's something that comes at a very, very, very expensive price. Others died so that we could continue to cherish the things they loved.
"Each generation will always step forward. They are willing to fight, and if necessary, to die for their country. We fight so our children can grow up in a country that's strong and free."
VFW Post 9822 marked the passing of 29 members within the last year by reading their names, ringing a bell and lighting a candle in their honor. The list included Saul Sonnier, who had signed up to join Louisiana HonorAir's inaugural flight to Washington, D.C., earlier this month but never got the chance.
Ellie
Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com
Dwayne Broussard found the name of an old high school friend on the wall and touched it for a moment.
His friend, Farrell James Vice, was killed in action in Vietnam at age 21, not long after graduating from Henry High School.
As Lafayette Parish public schools held graduation ceremonies Saturday, Broussard and other members of the Abbeville-based American Legion Riders participated in a Memorial Day program at Veterans Park on Feu Follett Road.
"We're a fairly new chapter," Broussard said of his group of motorcyclists. "We provide escorts at funerals for any family of military personnel in Vermilion Parish, and we're proud to participate in this program today."
The Vietnam Veterans of America, Acadiana Chapter No. 141, sponsored the gathering under shade trees as well as tents provided for the program. The Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club, Leathernecks and Patriot Guard Riders also were among those on hand.
Owning the spotlight Saturday were Louisiana's 83 Gold Star families, who have lost loved ones in military service during the current war on terror abroad.
"My son, Brandon, joined the Air Force because of 9/11," Broussard said. "He now is a senior airman and does intelligence work. It's a six-year commitment, and it looks like he could make a career of it."
Broussard had taken a moment to visit the wall in the park that lists Acadiana-area military personnel lost in Vietnam, a list with ages ranging from 18 to 47 at the time of their deaths. While he dreads seeing Brandon's name on any such wall in the future, Broussard knows it's possible.
"One of the most important things we do is to remind people of the sacrifices made," he said. "It's very important to know. It tells you where you came from.
"I have the freedom to ride wherever I want. We have the freedom to gather, the freedom to join the military, or not. A lot of places in the world don't have that freedom. You also have the freedom in this country to protest the military."
Across the parish, in ceremonies at VFW Post 9822 in Judice, former VFW state commander Lincoln Savoie spoke of the ultimate sacrifice made by military personnel.
"Something is missing in this world," he said. "We're missing world peace, but it's something that comes at a very, very, very expensive price. Others died so that we could continue to cherish the things they loved.
"Each generation will always step forward. They are willing to fight, and if necessary, to die for their country. We fight so our children can grow up in a country that's strong and free."
VFW Post 9822 marked the passing of 29 members within the last year by reading their names, ringing a bell and lighting a candle in their honor. The list included Saul Sonnier, who had signed up to join Louisiana HonorAir's inaugural flight to Washington, D.C., earlier this month but never got the chance.
Ellie