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Carie Cleland

Special to The Daily News

 

 

Washington Parish Veterans Memorial Park held their first Veterans Day Salute to our Veterans event on Saturday, November 9th. The Bogalusa American Legion Post 24 Color Guard opened the ceremony by presenting the colors as well as closing the ceremony with a 21-gun salute. Senator Beth Mizell opened the Salute to our Veterans event by quoting Lafayette, “Humanity has won it’s battle; liberty has a nation.” Senator Mizell went on to thank our veterans for the sacrifices they have made in order for us to maintain the liberty that our forefathers fought for. The Salute to Our Veterans event continued with an opening prayer from Pastor Calvin Wheat with Storehouse Church, as well as a patriotic song performed by the children of Storehouse Church and a word from Sheriff Jason Smith. 

Kathy Mauthe with Quilts of Valor presented quilts to three Washington Parish residents who have served with our military. The first quilt was presented to Glenn Rester, who served in the Army during Vietnam. Mr. Rester has been the recipient of numerous medals, including the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commodation Medal. The remaining two recipients of a quilt from Quilts of Valor were presented to Mr. Rester’s grandsons, Matthew Welch and Christian Welch, both of whom serve in the National Guard. Matthew Welch has served for nine years and has also been the recipient of numerous medals during his service, which include the Armed Forces Services Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. His brother Christian Welch has been serving in the National Guard for one year but has already received two Army Achievement Medals as well as the Louisiana Service Ribbon. Quilts of Valor has presented over 400,000 quilts to service members. The quilts are meant to thank and honor service members and their families. There are three layers to each quilt meant to represent different values. The top layer represents the individual and the community. The batting represents warmth, comfort, peace, and healing. The back represents the strength of the recipient and their family.

The Washington Parish Veterans Memorial Park has commemorative items for purchase to honor veterans who have served as well as to help support the park. Anyone interested in purchasing a commemorative brick to be displayed at the park can visit their website at ourvetspark.org.