Reader: Local veterans get their due notice at event

Dear Editor:

“You and your guest are invited to a Cajun Pig Roast.” That’s what my invitation said. Well now, another free meal and a soft drink was going through my mind.

I missed the opening ceremony performance by the United Veterans League led by Commander Ray Ordoyne. It was a beautiful display honoring the American flag and the veterans who were present.

Everyone’s thoughts wandered to some distant place and probably to a special ceremony when the bugler played “TAPS.” [I recalled] when the U.S.S. Philippine Sea and its crew had a military burial at sea during the Korean War – the bugler was awesome. The echo was played by another ship that was alongside our carrier while giving us supplies.

I decided to go [to the pig roast] and pull a “hit and run,” and be back home after a few minutes. When I arrived, I was greeted by an American flag flying in a gentle breeze. Steve, a Vietnam veteran himself, and Sherry were passing out food to the veterans and their guests. I could see the emotion of pride and honor in what they were doing for the WW II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Iraq War veterans who were there.

Veterans of every generation [carried] a sense of “why.” War is HELL, for you can never run away from the good and the bad memories.

[That day], I saw a group of veterans enjoying themselves with their heads held high and a look of, “I need a hug, at least, because I served my country.”

Something caught my eyes and what I saw made my day. On one of the giant-sized oak trees was a sign – “Welcome Veterans.” The other trees were dressed with yellow ribbons around them. My thought of that sign and those ribbons on those powerful God-created oak trees let my thoughts fly with the gentle breeze. Maybe they were planted by Civil War veterans. Maybe a few World War veterans enjoyed a picnic under the shade of those majestic oaks. Now, we were honoring them with an elite group of veterans – the country’s best.

On behalf of all of the veterans, thank you Steve and Sherry Cheramie.

I left with a lump in my throat, my head held high and a little tear knowing that we are not truly forgotten.

By the way, the food was great, the dessert was like American apple pie and even the cook looked good. I lie, lie, lie – sorry Myron.

Linton Doucet,

Korean Conflict veteran

Golden Meadow