Memorial Day ceremonies scheduled in Opelousas

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St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial Committee will hold Memorial Day ceremonies on May 29 at the Veterans Memorial and at Bellevue Memorial.
This year’s event entitled “We Must Never Forget,” will honor those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country as well as all deceased veterans.
The event is sponsored by the St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial Committee and Dorothy Thomas and friends.
A special feature of this year’s programs will include pictures of service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony will begin with a program at the Veterans Memorial, 5348 La. 182, at 10 a.m. May 29.
Participants are asked to park at the Equine Sales Center on Harry Guilbeau Road. Transportation to and from the memorial will be provided by the Town of Washington (trolley) and St. Landry Parish School Board.
Following this event another ceremony honoring all veterans will be led by the Patriot Guard Riders and held at Bellevue Memorial Cemetery located on La. 182 south of the Veterans Memorial site.
Family members of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice are asked to send a picture of their loved one to Pat Mason-Guillory, project chairman/P.O. Drawer 1550, Opelousas, LA with the following information attached: name; branch of service; rank; date of service; date killed in action; and burial location.
Pictures can also be dropped off at St. Landry Parish School Board Resource Center in care of Pat Mason-Guillory. Pictures must be in a sealed envelope with return information included. Pictures must be received on or before May 12. All pictures will be returned.
Following the program at the Veterans Memorial a caravan led by the Patriot Guard Riders will proceed from the Memorial to Bellevue Memorial Cemetery.
At the cemetery, a flag raising and lowering ceremony in honor of all deceased veterans will be held. Flags will be given to all family members in attendance to be placed on the graves of their loved ones in honor of their service to our country.
The ceremony will feature a history of Memorial Day, songs, roll call of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, reading of names of those who served, selections by the Opelousas Community Choir and a 21-gun salute and taps.
This year’s ceremonies are sponsored by St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial Committee and Dorothy Thomas and Friends.