Abbeville honors fallen on Memorial Day

Close to 200 fallen Vermilion military personnel were remembered in two Memorial Day ceremonies at the Louisiana Military Museum and the War Memorial in Abbeville.
The first ceremony on Memorial Day was held at the War Memorial, located in downtown Abbeville.
The War Memorial has the names of Vermilion Parish soldiers who were killed in the line of duty.
A wreath was placed in front of the War Memorial by Charles Dill, who is the commander of the American Legion Vermilion Post 29 and Glenn Suire, also a member of Post 29.
The ceremony was put on the by the Abbeville Garden Club.
Odile Segrest of the Abbeville Garden Club thanked the veterans for their service.
“For countless families across the nation, Memorial Day is a dark and painful reminder for those who never had the opportunity to be honored as a veteran. Their sacrifice is a truth expression of selfless service. They represent the best America has to offer.”
The second ceremony of the day took place at the Louisiana Miltary Museum located at the Chris Crusta Memorial Airport in Abbeville.
The ceremony only lasted an hour, but it was loaded with memorial moments.
It began with the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard presenting the Colors.
Monseignor Jefferson DeBlanc recognized the Gold Star Families who were on hand.
Then, a wreath was placed in front of the replica Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Tom Tompson of the American Legion Post 29 explained what the “Missing Man Table” represents.
The keynote speaker was Andrew Ward, president and founder of the Acadiana Veterans Alliance.
“This day is not about us,” Ward said. “It is not about you. It is not about any person who wears a uniform. This is about those who were wearing that uniform when they gave their life for their country and the freedom we have.
“That freedom allows us to spend the day doing what we want. We are grateful for those who gave their lives for us.
“The greatest way we can honor those who fought for our freedom is to show them that what they died for matters and support all living veterans. To me, that is the true difinition of rememberance and honor.”
The ceremony closed with a 21-gun saltute by the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard, along with a Missing Man Aerial Salute flyover.