Many LaSalle Parish residents gathered at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse Monday, May 31, for the annual Whatley-Flaherty VFW Post 5002 Memorial Day program.

Due to COVID, the program was not held last year so this year’s event was especially meaningful to all those in attendance.

The Memorial Day event was held to remember those who died while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States as the phrase, “All gave some…some gave all” reverberated during the beautiful May sky.

Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the event was Post 5002 Commander Steve Thomas, a Gulf War Veteran.

The invocation was given by Marine Sgt (RET) Charles Turnage, followed by a welcome by Jena Mayor LaDawn Edwards. After the presentation of the American Flag and its lowering to half-staff, the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Bailey Sellers.

LTC, US Army (RET) Rodney Russell, an Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran and resident of Jena, then delivered a stirring keynote address (reprinted in part below) that was followed by the roll call of all those from LaSalle Parish who died while serving during a war.

The annual “laying of the Memorial Wreath” was next, this year placed by Gloria Jean Gulde, sister of Michael Price, who died while serving during the Vietnam War.

The LaSalle Parish Veterans Honor Guard, who was in charge of all military procedures during the event, conducted a 21-gun salute to fallen comrades and the playing of Taps brought an end to the emotional event.

VFW Post 10 Chaplin Ronald Liles, a US Air Force Vietnam Veteran, provided the closing prayer.

Thomas thanked everyone who came out to pay respects to those who died for our nation’s freedoms and for all those that participated in the day’s activities.

The following are excerpts from Russell’s speech:

“Memorial Day is not a day to thank veterans but is a day of remembrance for U.S. soldiers who died in military service. In 1868, flowers were placed on graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial Day was later changed from honoring the dead from the Civil War to honoring the dead from all American wars and conflicts.

In ceremonies across our country today, we come together as a nation to remember our beloved sons & daughters lost in the clash of battle; the thunder of bombs, the rumbling of tanks, the roar of airplanes overhead and the scream of artillery shells. This Memorial Day, we come together to honor the many sacrifices made for our freedom.

As we enjoy living in the land of the free, and the home of the brave, we must continue to remind Americans that there is no freedom without bravery, and those we honor today were brave when it counted the most.

Amid the war-torn decades we’ve endured, we take great pride in these heroes … these men and women who believe they were just doing their duty. They had strength when the situation demanded it; determination when everything felt lost; and devotion, courage and patriotism when others looked to them for guidance. No one ordered them to practice the most basic of human ideals…they did it because they were Americans and lived in a nation worth defending.

Generation after generation has been fortunate enough to reap the benefits paid for by those who believe that freedom is worth fighting for and, if necessary, dying for.

In cemeteries across America and around the world today, people will pause to spread flowers on the graves of those lost in war. But today should not be about the sorrow we feel at their loss, and not about mourning; what it should be about was best expressed by General George S. Patton back in 1944 at a military cemetery in France. Looking out across a field filled with rows of crosses marking the graves of men who, just days before, had been part of his Army, Patton said, “…we should thank God that such men lived.”

And that is what this very special day is all about, being thankful that such brave men and women have lived, and to pay tribute to those heroic patriots who bravely rose up and fought for something greater than themselves, protecting a home to which they never returned. They sacrificed everything for the noblest of causes, and it is up to you and me to carry their memory forward in an effort to repay a debt that can never truly be repaid.

Flowers, memorials and flags at half-staff, and the sad notes of TAPS, as meaningful as they are, they are not enough. What we really must do to honor their sacrifice is to live what they died for.

They gave up their todays for our tomorrows, and now we must carry their message of dedication and determination to the generation in uniform today, and to the generations who will serve tomorrow because there is no greater way to honor the memory of those who have secured it.”