Memorial Day Ceremony big success at Military Museum in Abbeville

The second annual “Remembering the Fallen” ceremony was by far the largest, according to one of the event’s organizers.
Last year close to 400 people crowded into the original display room of the Louisiana Military Museum for the first-ever Memorial Day Ceremony held at the Chris Crusta Airport.
The museum, however, expanded this year with the addition of the Hall of Honor, which is where the ceremony was held on Monday. The Hall of Honor doubled the museum in size.
Hundreds of people showed up to honor the soldiers who had fallen in combat.
Monday’s Memorial Day commemoration was wonderful,” said Dr. Elista Istre, who helped organize the ceremony. “It was amazing to see hundreds of people come together from all walks of life to support our military community, families, friends, and comrades-in-arms.”
The museum is honored to provide a place to remember the fallen, especially on days like Memorial Day. For the museum to once again have a standing-room-only capacity, even in the new Hall of Honor addition, speaks volumes regarding the respect and appreciation Louisiana, especially Acadiana, has for our veterans, both the living and those who have already passed on. We are so grateful for everyone who came out Monday to show their support.”
The ceremony included the posting and retiring of the colors by the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard.
An MIA/POW table explaining the plight of those missing in action or prisoners of war was presented by American Legion Vermilion Post No. 29. The ceremony included laying a wreath at the replica Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Abbeville Garden Club, and Andrew Ward, founder and president of the Acadiana Veteran Alliance, was the keynote address.
“Since we are 100 percent funded by private donations, the overwhelming generosity of those in attendance will continue to have a lasting impact in this community for years to come,” she added. “We are so grateful for those who come alongside us to support us in achieving our mission of ‘honoring our veterans and remembering their stories.’”