By Mary Jane Hebert, F205207
August 2017
Memorial Day was created in the United States to remember fallen military members. Sadly, for many people that meaning has been lost amid start-of-summer celebrations, mega sales, and neighborhood barbecues. But the true meaning is never lost on the families who have lost loved ones in service to our country. Memorial Day is for the American troops who did not get a homecoming party and who did not retire from the service. They instead returned home in flag-draped coffins.
Proud American Rally
To honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the Cruisin’ Cajuns chapter held a Proud American Rally in Patterson, Louisiana, on Memorial Day weekend. Members arrived in 101 motorhomes for the event. During the weekend, the chapter also recognized and honored all military veterans who have helped keep our country safe so that we can enjoy our freedom.
Cruisin’ Cajuns rally masters Calvin and Glenda Clark hosted the event, assisted by Frank and Pauline Krenkel, and Bud Broussard and Emma Johnson.
FMCA national president Charlie Adcock, an Air Force veteran, was dressed in full military uniform. He led a remembrance ceremony with help from Glenda Clark, Pauline Krenkel, and Emma Johnson. A small table, set for one, occupied a place of honor. It symbolized that some military members — POWs and MIAs — are missing.
Salute To The Military Ceremony
The rally also included a Salute To The Military ceremony. Gerald Petit, a U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, led a procession of retired military members. (Gerald later won the rally’s grand prize drawing of an offshore fishing trip.) Terry Courville, a Vietnam veteran and president of the Louisiana State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America, led an honor guard. He also performed a Battlefield Cross ceremony and presented Louisiana State Vietnam pins to all the veterans.
Charlene Ellender is a Vietnam veteran who served with the Army Nurse Corps. She expressed her gratitude to all for remembering those who had served in Vietnam. She urged everyone to support all our veterans.
Retired Navy Commander John B. Wells, executive director of Military-Veterans Advocacy Inc., explained the nonprofit organization’s mission of protecting the rights of current and former members of the armed forces.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Barrett Brayson, from Picayune, Mississippi, described how proud he is to be serving. At the airport before he and his comrades deployed to Kuwait, they were greeted by Vietnam veterans wishing them well and a safe return. And when they returned to U.S. soil, they were welcomed home by another group of Vietnam veterans.
Tremendous Success
The rally was a tremendous success, featuring great meals, a Cajun ice cream social, and entertainment. We left with this thought in mind: God bless our fallen heroes, their families, our veterans, and the United States of America.