Veterans Day 2013 in Shreveport/Bossier

It's Veterans Day weekend:  read about the history of Veterans Day here.  And here.

Locally, there are many activities scheduled:

Saturday, November 9, is the annual Vets for Vets event at Riverpark Church on the Clyde Fant Parkway (old Hamels Park).  Steve and I attended this event last year and had a great time!  The motorcycle ride was quite impressive as all the bikes thundered out of the parking lot and down the Clyde Fant Parkway toward the Louisiana War Veterans Home and then to the VA.  Make plans to attend this family friendly event if you can.  It starts early, at 9:00 a.m., but you'll get to hear Robin Beach sing the National Anthem and that is certainly worth getting up early for!

Sunday, November 10, from 2:00 - 3:00, there will be a Louisiana Veterans Honor Parade at the State Fairgrounds.  There will be floats, local marching bands, ROTC drill teams, and various veterans organizations in a parade down the midway on this last day of the Louisiana State Fair.  The Parade Marshall will be Brigadier General Joanne Sheridan.  Parking and admission is free to veterans and their families.

Also on Sunday, November 10, immediately following the parade at the fairgrounds, there will be a ceremony at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club on Greenwood Road.  Veterans will be recognized and there will be some certificates of appreciation will be presented.  There will be music by the Shreveport Metropolitan Band, Airline High School Choir, and the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Monday, November 11, you can find events at various schools:

Caddo Magnet High School will have a ceremony at 10:20 in the school auditorium with speaker Claude Young, a Korean War veteran.

Captain Shreve High School will have a ceremony at 10:10 with guest speaker Maj. Johnathon Lloyd from the Louisiana National Guard.

Green Oaks will have a ceremony at 9:00 a.m. with speaker LaDaryl Franklin, professor of military science and Grambling University.

Parkway High School in Bossier will have a 9:00 ceremony which will include a live bald eagle and a re-presentation of the Air Force Cross to retired U.S. Air Force Col. George Finck.

Benton High School will have a 9:00 a.m. ceremony with speakers from BAFB and Global Strike Command.

Our own good friend Ron Chatelain will be guest speaker at the LSUS event around the flagpole at 11:00.  Maj. Ron Chatelain is the most decorated living Vietnam veteran in the state of Louisiana.  He served two tours in Vietnam, earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with a V and Oak Leaf Cluster, and five Purple Hearts.  He's also one heck of a nice guy.  He is pictured below (right) with Steve at last year's Vet for Vets event:

Various restaurants and business will be honoring vets with freebies so check this list from The Shreveport Times for those deals and other local school events.

Also, keep a watch out for the VFW who will be out selling poppies this weekend.  Help support their efforts and buy a bouquet!

Sources include
KTBS News
The Shreveport Times

Veterans Day Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony 2012

Steve and I attended the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony today sponsored by the Friends of the Municipal Auditorium. 

The Municipal Auditorium is located on the west end of downtown Shreveport and was built in the 1920s.  It is probably now most famous for being one of the first places Elvis Presley performed but many other musical legends performed there.  The building is noted for its intricate brickwork, acoustical perfection, and art deco styling.


Note on the front it says "Dedicated to those who served in the World War." 

The building was placed on the National Register for Historic Places:

Here's a plaque posted inside with a bit of the history:

There's a nice little museum inside where you can learn about the history of the place and tours are offered:

And, of course, there are reportedly ghosts in residence, too.

Sadly, there were probably more ghosts in attendance than people there to honor the veterans.

The Friends of the Municipal Auditorium had a lovely ceremony organized; a nice sign in table and refreshments greeted you upon entry:

But this is a "crowd shot" taken right after the ceremony started:

One more small group came in after I took this bringing us up to a total of 24 people in attendance. 

Shameful.  Granted, it is Sunday and maybe church ran late for some people, the weather is a little dicey, and there is a Veterans Parade later in the afternoon at the Fair Grounds, so maybe people had other things to do.  Still, it was a sad showing.

Emcee Tom Pace opened the ceremony: there was the invocation and the posting of colors; Meredith McLellan sang a beautiful a capella rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."  We had bagpipes and a drummer who played "Amazing Grace."

The 2012 Inductees included Corporal Cleauthor Sanders, Corporal Frank Buckles, Lt. Commander Seal Jonas B. Kelsall, and Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer Seal Robert J. Reeves.

A late addition to the program was Senator Mary Landrieu who called and asked to attend the ceremony; she wasn't on the program but she made a late entrance after the ceremony had already started. 

Senator Landrieu took the stage and read a prepared speech, primarily, it seemed to politicize the event and garner publicity for herself.  She spoke about what she had been doing throughout the state to honor veterans, about a parade she and her brother attended in New Orleans with the Lt. Governor, Jay Dardenne, and about the Drum Corps from the Revolutionary War descendants who participated in that parade.  With the father of CPO Robert Reeves sitting on stage not ten feet away from her, she talked about how now Osama bin Laden is dead and the Taliban is on the run.

I wish I'd had the presence of mind to turn on my video camera.  If the local media captured her speech I will add it at the bottom later.  It was bizarre.

Some of the veterans in attendance were stunned to hear Senator Landrieu usurp the solemn ceremony for political grandstanding.

As if that weren't bad enough, she closed her remarks with comments about General Petraeus.  An induction ceremony for four honored veterans was not the forum for Senator Landrieu to preach to us about General David Petraeus.  She reminded the audience that we "are not perfect" and that only Jesus Christ was perfect. 

"I want to go on record here today," she said about Petraeus.  "I'm a fan."  She noted his honorable career and sat down.

It wasn't the time or place.

Following that bizarre addition to the program, the awards commenced.  Corporal Cleauthor Sanders was in attendance with his wife and family.  He spoke briefly about his time of service and then the Friends of the Municipal Auditorium presented his pen and ink portrait by local artist Jerry Harris.  Corporal Sanders also got a smaller version of the portrait to take home.

Senator Landrieu jumped up to shake his hand and announced that she would see to it that Corporal Sanders and his family are flown to New Orleans for a tour of the World War II museum.

The father of CPO Reeves accepted the award and portrait of his son and that of Lt. Commander Kelsall for his family (the two boys were childhood and lifelong friends here in Shreveport).

Mr. Reeves gave a very moving speech about his son and closed by saying that for the two of them "to be on that helicopter, together, at that time, well, it had to be God's will." 

(Kelsall and Reeves were on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter that was shot down in Afghanistan on August 11, 2011, killing both of them and 28 other souls.)

It was a very nice ceremony, despite Senator Landrieu's bizarre speech, and from there many departed to head to the fairgrounds for the Veterans Parade. 

I believe Senator Landrieu was on her way there as well.

Take a Trip to the 2012 Vets for Vets Event

Just over 1,000 people turned out today for the 2012 Vets for Vets Biker Event at Riverpark Church in Shreveport.  It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and a crisp wind keeping the heat and humidity at bay.

The event is hosted by the non-profit Vets for Vets organization and raises money for local hospitalized veterans.  This was the eighth year for the rally and it seems to be growing every year we are told; this was our first time to attend.

The rally began at 9 but it was closer to 10 by the time we got there.  Riverpark Church is located on the Red River and is the site of the old Hamel's Amusement Park.  Signs of the old amusement park days remain.

Steve and I could still see parts of the old train track that went around the park and several of the old buildings are still there like the kiddie barn, the bumper car area, the skee ball building, and even part of the old log ride.

Through the morning the bikes started filling the parking lot:

As soon as we entered the park we bought t-shirts and then Steve ran into his old Army Reserve buddy, La. Representative Henry Burns:

We visited for a bit, they told old Army stories, and then we moved on to check out the vendors.  The Krewe of Elders was there serving food:

There were lots of vendors selling biker related merchandise: leather, boots, jewelry, and so on.

There was a Wounded Warriors tent - a charity I proudly support:

We checked out the silent auction - I bid on a couple of things and didn't win.  There was a neat old Bel Air on display:

It was beautifully restored:

A World War II veteran spoke briefly about how the world was back then.  There was three types of government he said: communism (Russia), socialism (Germany), and capitalism (United States); he said it was free market capitalism that won the war and helped recovery after the war.

One of the highlights of the morning was the demonstration by the Security Forces with their dogs:

The dog, a Belgian Malinois was absolutely beautiful:

 

They went through an obedience demo and then one guy put on "the bite suit" and the dog, Rufus, I think, started drooling.  It was amazing to see the training and discipline of the dog.  And when he finally got to "bite" he did not let go until directed:

At one point in the demo the dog was in mid-jump about to bite when the handler called him off and he immediately closed his mouth and sat down as directed.

Meanwhile, the music was getting started and a line dance got started:

These are actually some of our American Legion friends and they do love to dance!

All of the bands today donated their time for the Vets for Vets.  Dickie T and his group, the Bone Dancers, and our favorite: Soulfish Blues Band.

Here is Steve with Ron Chatelain, one of our highly decorated veterans and a heck of a nice guy:

When it was time to eat I had a hamburger and Steve had fried fish. About that time Gary and Kay Huntsman arrived (Gary is with Soulfish) and we staked out a good bench from which to view the band's performance:

The bikers left to do their parade past the War Veteran's Home on the Parkway and past the VA hospital.  It was quite a site to see them all.

Finally it was time for Soulfish to take the stage.  We just love this band: nice, good people and wonderful musicians.  Julia Dunning continues to impress with her vocals.  Several people came up to her to tell her how much they enjoyed her singing.

The event ended with the playing of Taps:

...and we departed.

Steve and I then turned the Jeep south and headed to the Pioneer Pub in Natchitoches for dinner.  Why not?

After dinner we walked along Front Street and admired the shop windows.  They are getting ready for their big Christmas festival:  we especially liked this window:

Now that'll put you in the Christmas spirit!

More Veterans Day events to come this week, but for now, we close.

The rally raised over $8,000 for the vets and that's a good day.

The SIGIS Take a Trip Series:

Take a Trip to the Norton Art Gallery and the Photographs of the Vietnam War Exhibit

Take a Trip to Octoberfest 2012 at Barksdale Air Force Base

Take a Picnic Trip to the Lock and Dam and a Detour to Lake Bistineau

Take a Dinner Ride Through East Texas

Take a Trip to an End of Summer Party and Listen to Soulfish Blues Band

Take a Summer Trip to Jefferson, Texas and Meet New Friends

Take a Trip to Dallas, Texas and The West End

Take a Stocking the Freezer Trip to Ed Lester Farms and Find a Cool Truck!

Take a Trip to Coushatta Down Louisiana Backroads

Take a Sunday Drive in North Caddo Parish

Take a Trip to Minden's First Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival

Take a Trip to the 2012 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at BAFB
Take a Springtime Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden, LA
Take a Trip to Logansport, Louisiana
Take a Trip to the Lock and Dam on Red River
Take a Trip to the 2012 Barkus and Meoux Parade
Take a Christmas Shopping Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden
Take a Trip to the Fourth Annual Barksdale AFB Oktoberfest
Take a Trip to Grand Cane's Fifth Annual Pioneer Trade Day
Take a Trip to the 2011 Highland Jazz & Blues Festival
Take an Autumn Trip to Jefferson, Texas
Take a Fall Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base
Take a Summertime Trip to Grand Cane
Take a Trip to Desoto Parish
Take a Summer Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Melrose Plantation 
Take a Trip to Ed Lester Farms and a Random Antique Stop
Take a Trip to the Norton Art Gallery and the Masters of Cuban Art Exhibit
Take a Trip to Natchitoches to See the Christmas Lights
Take a Trip to the Third Annual BAFB Oktoberfest
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Oakland Plantation
Take a Trip to Jefferson, Texas
Oktoberfest at BAFB

A Parade to Soothe the Soul

When I woke up this morning with the bitter taste of defeat in my mouth from last night's capitulation into socialism, I knew it was going to take more than a cold Diet Coke or a cup of hot coffee to set me right.

I was off work today to attend my mom's heath plan meeting at The Glen and to tend to some of her business matters but all that was not until after lunch, so this morning Steve and I headed over, bright and early, to the War Veterans Home in Bossier City to participate in the Veterans Parade with our American Legion friends.

The War Veterans Home is a beautiful, relatively new (2007) facility that sits on the Red River.  It is a 156 bed facility that also offers a fishing pond, a pier, and an activities building.

I couldn't think of a better group of people to spend the morning with after last night.  It did my soul good and it was a lot of fun.

The parade was held in conjunction with a ceremony inside the facility in which some twelve veterans received the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal for their service.

Several local groups took part in the parade including the Patriot Guard Riders, the 40 & 8 Voiture 137, Parkway High School Band, Choir, and Flagline, and a couple of local ROTC groups.

Steve and I were privileged to be invited to ride in the parade and throw beads to the crowd.

The veterans were lined up outside as were nurses and family members.

After the parade the Parkway choir sang patriotic songs.  It was pure joy listening to some of the vets sing along.  Then there was a flag folding ceremony and the medal presentations.

And of course, there was cake:

I left after the ceremony to make my meeting at The Glen and Steve stayed to visit with some of the veterans.

The Shreveport Times has a nice photo gallery.

There are plenty of Veterans Day Activities scheduled locally.  And if you aren't local, find some in your area.  It'll do your soul good and will brighten a vet's day.


(Top photo courtesy of Douglas Collier/The Shreveport Times)
(Photos 2 and 5 courtesy of S. Bohanan)

Local Veterans Day Events to Add to Your Calendar

Time to update your calendar with some important local events for Veterans Day.

On Wednesday, November 7 there will be a Veterans Day celebration at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans home on Arthur Ray Teague Parkway, at the foot of the Shreveport-Barksdale Bridge.  It begins at 9:30 a.m.  The Parkway High School band will perform and the ROTC will be in attendance.  All veterans are invited.

On Saturday, November 10 there will be a Vets for Vets Biker Rally at the old Hamel's Park (now RiverPark Church), on E. 70th Street.  The event kicks off at 9 and runs until 4.  Admission to the park is free.  There will be food, drinks (no alcohol), live music and other events.  Here's their website and flyer:

I know that the fabulous Soulfish Blues Band will be performing in the afternoon.  It should be a great event.  We will definitely be there.

Sunday November 11 at Municipal Auditorium is the Louisiana Military Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony at 12:30.  It should run about an hour:

The American Legion’s Post 14 Commander, Stephen J. Lavery, will speak on the history of the Municipal Auditorium and the role that the American Legion played in leading the fundraising drive to build the building. All legionnaires are encouraged to attend this ceremony. Cleauthor Sanders, a USMC veteran who fought in World War II, will be inducted into the Louisiana Military Hall of Heroes.

Sunday, November 11 at 2 is the Louisiana Veterans Honor Parade.  This is the closing day of the Louisiana State Fair; floats, bands, ROTC groups, and veterans organizations will parade down the midway beginning at Fair Grounds Field and ending at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.  Free admission and free parking for all veterans and their families.  Veterans in attendance will have the option to ride a shuttle bus in the parade.

Following the parade will be the Louisiana Veterans Honor Ceremony at Hirsch Coliseum.

Veterans from all wars will be recognized during the Louisiana Veterans Honor Ceremony at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum. The Shreveport Metropolitan Concert Band and Airline High School Choir will perform special music. Judge Henry Brown is the featured speaker. Informational booths on veterans services will be available, and awards will be presented to local veterans for special service.

And finally, on Monday, November 12, at Parkway High School, there will be a Military Tattoo Ceremony.

Ronald M. Chatelain, Louisiana's most decorated soldier, will be the honored guest at Parkway High School's JROTC Military Tattoo Ceremony. Chatelain is the recipient of the Distinguished Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and five Purple Hearts -- all awards given for bravery in combat. 
A retired Army General will be there to present Mr. Chatelain's Distinguished Cross. The public is invited to attend this momentous occasion and also observe the Tattoo Ceremony, a military tradition that dates back more than 300 years. 
This year's program will feature a Saber Team, Drum Corps, Drill Team, dance line performance, choral selection, service medley, a flag folding ceremony including TAPS, an enlistment ceremony of high school students and more. A short social will follow the ceremony.

You can read more about traditional tattoo ceremonies here.

Many schools in the area will be honoring veterans on Veterans Day as well.

History Lesson

Via The Corner, here's a Veteran's Day history.

Veteran's Day 2010

It's Veteran's Day.  Thank a veteran today for his service. 

Veterans Day Tribute

Via Kate Obenshain, a lovely tribute:

Quiet

Sorry so quiet - it's been a busy week.

I hope you can participate in a Veterans Day activity in your area today. For now, enjoy this:

Veterans Day 2009

Norah Jones Repost for Veterans Day

Veterans Day 2008

Happy Veterans Day to my favorite veteran!

Letter from Coffeyville Army Air Field, Coffeyville KS

25 Jan 1944

Dear Mom,

I'm getting an early start this week so maybe I'll get to write you two letters instead of your usual one. We are still flying every minute possible but have finally caught up with old man time so maybe they will let up pretty soon. They aren't doing it today though, because we are flying with about a thousand foot ceiling and a two or three mile visibility. The weather started closing in yesterday morning and has really turned into soup today. They called our night flying off last night but have us in the air this morning in worse weather than we had last night. You would really have enjoyed some beautiful scenery I saw yesterday morning. I went up above a low overcast and broke through on top to see a beautiful picture of the sun shining down on the clouds. They looked like a big layer of white cotten [sic]. It really is a wonderful sight.

I've finished up with everything but my instrument flying and night flying. Have six more hours of night flying about about eleven of instruments before I'm finished with Basic. I've taken all my checks except in the instruments and have passed all of them. If I can get by the instrument check I'm in advanced. The first thing we get in advanced is another tough physical exam so I'm beginning my new worry period in about another week. Once I pass that physical I have those wings and bars practically in my hand. That will be a great day, believe me!

Our luck finally ran out the day after I wrote you last. One of the boys cracked up on the take off and was killed. It was our first fatal accident and I hope the last. The kid got caught in prop wash, stalled out, and was pretty badly burned in the fire that followed. There was nothing anyone could do until the fire was out and by that time it was a little late...

Don't worry about me though because I'm planning on coming back...

Must close now. Tell Dad hello for me and both of you write soon.

Love, Sonny