OPELOUSAS – The proposed St. Landry Parish Veteran Funeral Honor Guard needs support from the parish veterans to help it become a reality.
Applications can be found on the Honor Guard web-site stlandryvetshonorguard.com or applications can be picked up at any of the city halls in the parish.
Link Savoie, a retired Army officer, with 22 years of active federal service to include the Korea/ Vietnam wars and a veteran advocate is the coordinator of the Honor Guard project working through American Legion Post 514 in Opelousas.
The vision statement for the Honor Guard posted on the web-site is: “The St. Landry Parish Veteran Funeral Honor Guard underscores the belief that every veteran honorably discharged from the military and residing in St. Landry Parish should be buried with dignity and full military honors, justifying “ The Best Going Away Possible.”
Savoie said this unique veteran funeral honor guard will not interfere with any other military ceremonies provided by an American Legion or VFW Post Honor Guard.
To avoid any confusion, this honor guard will be available to the family of a veteran per request through any funeral home in St. Landry Parish, who in turn will contact the coordinator.
The foundation for the proposed Honor Guard has been laid out for a 20 member Honor Guard and arrangements have been made to purchase 12 weapons and full uniforms.
According to Savoie, each weapon costs $600 and the full uniform is $700.
In order for this honor guard to become a reality, the citizens of St. Landry Parish must respond with the needed funds.
Donations can be sent to to American Legion Post 514, in care of Veterans Funeral Honor Guard, P.O. Box 1145, Opelousas, Louisiana 70571.
For additional information, call 662-7283.
