Citizens enjoy early Thanksgiving meals

Published 8:10 am Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Approximately 400 dinners were served on Tuesday at Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal’s annual Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner at the American Legion Home.

Seal also has a dinner scheduled on Thursday at the First Baptist Church in Franklinton. This is Seal’s fourth year to sponsor the dinners.

“I appreciate your electing me again as your sheriff. That reminds me of a recent function when a little boy walked up to me and gave me a $1 dollar bill. I asked him what the dollar bill was for,” Seal said, tongue in cheek. “He said, ‘My daddy said you were the poorest sheriff this parish has ever had,’” as the room burst with laughter. “I appreciate you giving me the chance to correct that for the next four years.”

Seal introduced a number of elected officials and candidates running for office. He introduced Republican Beth Mizell and Democrat Mickey Murphy, who are both running for the State Sen. District 12 seat.

Others included Malinda White, who recently won election to the State Rep. District 75 seat, Assessor Jimbo Stevenson, Bogalusa City Council President Teddy Drummond, Angie Mayor John Dawsey and Franklinton Mayor Wayne Fleming.

Seal also introduced Our Lady of the Angels Director of Communications Angela Lambert.

“I’m thankful God saw fit to bring our family here,” she said. “I can tell you that, without a doubt, God is moving in this parish. We want to create the best place possible for this community. Our mission is inspired by God.”

Our Lady of the Angels Hospital was previously known as LSU Bogalusa Medical Center, a division of LSU Health Care Services. It celebrated its one-year affiliation with the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System on March 17.

“We’ve got the light of Jesus,” Lambert said. “Now that we’re a faith-based facility, we don’t have to hide it.”

Bogalusa High School’s JROTC and Explorer Scouts served as volunteers serving food.