Dozens of red, white and blue-clad attendees distanced themselves Monday across the Fountain Memorial Funeral Home's grounds for the annual Memorial Day service honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The rain that was forecast Monday held up for most of the morning program, coming down only after the benediction was completed. Veterans from each of the military's branches were honored, and a table was set in front of the podium in honor of prisoners of war and those missing in action and unable to to come home.
The program also included a presentation of the colors by the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard and speeches by Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory and Louisiana State Police Sgt. John Trahan.
"It's my understanding that since the American Revolution, we've had over 1.1 million Americans lay down their life," said Guillory, who is a U.S. Army veteran. "Over 1.1 million — let that sink in. Voluntarily raised their hand...willing to put everything they had aside to serve something greater than their self."
Guillory said Memorial Day is "one of the trickiest days on the calendar." He said for the first several years since serving in Iraq, he had difficulty with the holiday.
"For years, I'd kind of mope around a little bit," Guillory said. "Something kind of changed a few years into it, about four or five years after I got back home. I started looking at Memorial Day a little different. I started to ask myself, 'How can we honor those that have died?'"
In his speech, Guillory called on citizens to follow the same values exhibited by members of the armed forces — personal courage, service to the community and loyalty.
During the service, there was a moment of silence, and Robert Leon with the Acadiana Area for Veterans, asked attendees to keep the family of Louisiana State Police Trooper George Baker in the prayers. Baker died Sunday from injuries sustained in a chase last week in Hammond.
More: Louisiana State Police announces death of Trooper George Baker following vehicle pursuit
Trahan, who served in the National Guard, U.S. Army Reserves and fought in Desert Storm before joining the Louisiana State Police, said he was humbled to stand in front of so many veterans and their families, calling them some of the bravest and most selfless people in the nation.
He also recalled the support he received from the community before leaving for Afghanistan.
"When they called me in 1989, I had just gotten married, to go to Desert Storm," Trahan said. "I just saw what it really meant to have support behind me. The Vietnam veterans lined the side of the road as we started to pull out."
In his final prayer closing the service, the Rev. Weldon Moak, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Broussard, called on attendees to live their lives in a way that "brings honor and respect" to those who died in the line of duty.
"Help us to not squander the freedoms and misuse the rights that we have, but to live as good citizens, as good people, as good disciples," Moak said.
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May 26, 2020 at 01:14AM
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Lafayette Memorial Day service honors courage, service, loyalty of U.S. Armed Forces - Daily Advertiser
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