Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, has been established since 1868 and is a day set aside to mourn and honor this great nation’s deceased service men and women. Each year, two events are held in LaSalle Parish for this reason, with one in Olla on the Sunday before Memorial Day and one in Jena on the day of the federal holiday. These programs are only made possible by the VFW Veterans Honor Guard Post 5002 of Jena, Troop 14 and the community members who attend and support these longstanding events.
OLLA
Hosted by the Centennial Cultural Center in downtown Olla, the annual Memorial Day Program was held on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
Serving as the Master of Ceremonies was Bro. Scott Smith, Pastor of Tullos First Baptist Church, who opened the program with a welcome and prayer of invocation. Members of the VFW Veterans Honor Guard Post 5002 posted the colors and assembled the Soldiers’ Cross – a Tribute to Fallen Comrades. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Troop 14 and the National Anthem was sung by Miss Louisiana Little Sister Audrey Kelmell. Several readings were offered during the program, including “Because of You, Unknown Soldier” read by Emilia LaChance, “The Fallen Soldier” read by Troop 14 member Seth Richard and “To Our Fallen and Missing Comrades” read by Troop 14 member Matthew Spears.
Each year, the Center’s staff selects and recognizes one serviceman or woman from LaSalle Parish who has passed on. This year’s program honored Army veteran Howard A. McCarty, and his tribute featured readings by McCarty’s grandson State Trooper Aaron Boyette and former student Lynn Wilson.
Boyette began by reading his grandfather’s obituary, sharing about his many years playing football in high school and in the Army, his service in the United State Army and then his return to LaSalle Parish, where he held many titles from 1966 to 1992, such as, assistant coach and head coach at LaSalle High School, principal of LaSalle High School, athletic director and assistant principal at Jena High School.
In closing, Boyette compared the service of his grandfather and other brave men and women to the sacrifice demonstrated by Jesus Christ.
“Today, we are here not just to honor my grandpa, but all of those who have served our country. A veteran is someone who put their life on the line, not for the praise or popularity, but because they believed in something bigger than themselves,” Boyette shared. “In Mark chapter 10 verse 45, Jesus said, ‘For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.’ I wanted to include that verse because that is what both service and love truly looks like. I believe our veterans reflected that love when they chose to serve. So when we honor our veterans, let’s recognize that their service should point us straight to Jesus, the ultimate serving Savior. Let us all live a life that honors Him.”
Providing another tribute to McCarty was one of his former students Lynn Wilson. Wilson read a letter he wrote to McCarty in 2009, thanking him for the impact he made in his own life, highlighting that without Mc-Carty’s influence his life could have gone in a negative direction.
“Good morning, Coach. I recently heard a sermon preached on the importance of mentoring and role modeling within the Christian community. I could not help but reflect back on the those who significantly helped to shape by character, work ethic, career and my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no question that your influence in my life as a teenager is the single most important factor in shaping me. You literally rescued me form a potentially devasting lifestyle and destructive relationships,” Wilson shared. “On behalf of thousands of young men that you worked with through the years, I say thank you and pray God’s richest blessings on you and your family.”
At the conclusion of the program, the Veterans Honor Guard returned for the folding of the flag, explaining the meaning of each of the thirteen folds.
Following a benediction prayer, all attendees stepped outside to join the Honor Guard in remembering fallen comrades with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
JENA
Though rain threatened to cancel the event, the LaSalle Parish Memorial Day Program was held on the lawn of the LaSalle Parish Courthouse in Jena on Monday, May 26, 2025. This year’s event was the 30th of its kind, started in 1995 by SFC, US Army Retired, David “Cowboy” Robertson.
“That first year, I had to ask the National Guard to come present the flag and do the gun salute. We didn’t have many people attend that first one,” Robertson remembered. “But I wanted to do something for our veterans, because there ain’t nobody who hates war more than the soldiers sent to fight in it. In 2008, we (Robertson and other founding members) formed the Honor Guard and we’ve been doing this event, the Veterans Day parade and hundreds of funerals ever since.”
Though it rained well through the night prior and another storm came through at the conclusion of the event, the weather seemed to cooperate perfectly with this year’s Memorial Day program.
“I prayed that God would stop the rain, and He did! In 30 years, this event has never been rained out,” Robertson shared.
LCDR, US Navy, Retired Ralph McCrory opened the program and served as the Master of Ceremonies, and Rev. Ricky Gresham, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, offered the invocation prayer. The Veterans Honor Guard presented the American Flag, members of Troop 14 led the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem was sung by Chelsea Ingle.
The keynote speaker was Reci Tradewell, granddaughter of the late Willie “Sap” Tradewell. Sap was an original charter member of the VFW Honor Guard and was dedicated to its mission until his passing. Reci reminisced of the many times she knew that her grandfather would be performing Honor Guard duties for a funeral because he would seem ready, almost eager for the day.
“We always knew when it was funeral day. His uniform was meticulously kept, shoes polished, list of duties in hand and he was ready to go no matter how bad he might have felt,” Reci shared. “He was always so proud to be able to go and honor one of his brothers and sisters and their families, and that service gave him so much joy.”
Reci also spoke about each founding member, their service in the military and their dedication to the Guard through the years. Those honored included her grandfather, the late Willie “Sap” Tradewell, J.W. Thomas, David “Cowboy” Robertson, Jamie Robertson and Ralph McCrory.
“These men have served veterans all over Louisiana and even past the state lines, standing for hours in the heat, cold, wind, rain and ice. As of today, they have performed over 600 funerals, laying these men and women to rest with the honor and respect they so deserve,” she said.
Reci went on to read the service, ranks and accolades of each of the five founding Honor Guard members, ending with her own grandfather, who she paid special tribute to.
“I saved my favorite for last. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to honor and thank him before his passing, but he knew I was beyond proud of him and I was working to thank them all (Honor Guard members),” she said. “Each of these men have contributed so much to this country and our beautiful community. When you are considering organizations to donate to, remember the Jena Honor Guard. Thank you to those who host this amazing service each year and honor our lost – the men and women who gave their all – and to their amazing families that have sacrificed so much as well. Thank you.”
Following the special tribute, LTC, US Army, Retired – Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran, Rodney Russell provided the Roll Call, where he read the names of every LaSalle Parish native who died on the battlefield during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. At the conclusion of the roll call, David “Cowboy” Robertson, SFC, US Army, Retired – Vietnam/Gulf War Veteran laid the Memorial Wreath at the La-Salle Parish Memorial Monument.
The Veterans Honor Guard concluded the program with the assembly of the Soldier’s Cross – a Tribute to Fallen Comrades – the 21-Gun Salute and the playing of Taps.
Photos from the Olla event:
Photos from the Jena event:
