Memorial Day program honors fallen veterans

RAYNE - Members of American Legion Post No. 77 and its Ladies Auxiliary held 2018 Memorial Day ceremonies Sunday morning, May 27, for those Americans who died in service to America.
Master of ceremonies was Chairman Ray Olinger.
A single bell tone was sounded by Commander David Simon as Robert Comeaux, post chaplain, recited the names of each Legion member who passed away during the past year.
Those remembered were Horace Foreman, Edward Boudreaux, Charles C.J. Melancon, Leroy Joseph Breaux, Elton Adam Bourque and John S. Arceneaux.
Auxiliary Chaplain Louise Thibodeaux remembered long-time Auxiliary member Julia Guthrie as the lone Auxiliary member who had passed on during the past year.
The program speaker was Post 77 Legionnaire and retired Command Sgt. Major John Quebodeaux, a 26-year Army veteran who served two tours during the Vietnam War with the 101st Airborne Division.
Quebodeaux spoke of the “legacy” set forth by the fallen of past wars, “Leaving us to honor their legacy,” Quebodeaux stated.
He continued, “Regardless of the place or the war fought, the purity of their sacrifice is without question -- young men and women lost their lives in order to make the freedom of others possible.”
Quebodeaux spoke of the more than one million U.S. heroes who had their lives cut short while fighting in wars since the American Revolution.
Also noted were the pictures of 32 Rayne soldiers mounted on the walls of the Legion Home, all of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom around the world.
He began his presentation when he spoke of a 21-year-old pilot of World War I, 2nd Lt. Frank Luke, who claimed a remakable 18 aerial victories over German pilots before loosing his life in 1918 in France.
Quebodeaux also told of a brave Sharon Lane, a 1st Lieutenant who volunteered as a dedicated member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She lost her life in 1969 while attending to the sick and wounded in South Vietnam, the only female nurse killed by enemy fire during the Vietnam War.
The final heroes he spoke of were the four Marines recently loosing their lives during a training exercise in southern California.
The four young men lost on April 3 of 2018 as they were preparing to defend freedom halfway around the world were Lance Corporal Taylor Conrad of Baton Rouge, Gunnery Sgt. Richard Holley who had already completed two tours in Iraq; Capt. Samuel Schultz who had previously deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit; and fellow pilot 1st Lt. Samuel Phillips who had just joined the Marine Corps in August of 2013.
“Not all heroes die becaase of enemy gunfire,” continued Quebodeaux. “Military service sometimes requires dangerous risk, even when its members are far from a combat zone.
“The heroes we remember today are not exclusive to any gender, race or religion. They are a diverse group wedded to the common principal that America is a nation worth dying for.”
Auxiliary President Bonnie Simon mentioned Rayne’s remaining Gold Star Mother, Hilda Broussard, and introduced Gold Star Sisters, Roberta Mire and herself, who were in the audience.
Placing the traditional wreath of red poppies on a plain white cross topped by a soldier’s helmet were Junior Auxiliary member Justyce Williams and Jr. Sons of the Legion Corbin Simon. The wreath was placed in honor of all who gave the ultimate sacrifice in time of war in defense of freedom around the world.
Robert Comeaux, Legion chaplain, offered the invocation, and Lorraine Shelton Gaines, Legion financial officer, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Closing the Memorial Day Program was the playing of “Taps” were sounded by Bobby Frazier II of Post 15 in Crowley and Sons of the Legion.
Refreshments were provided by the local chapter of the Woodmen of the World organization.