Regional Military Museum dedicates brand-new second floor to Board President Will Theriot

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, the Regional Military Museum in Houma officially dedicated their new second floor to Board President Will Theriot, in honor of his 18 years of service for the museum and all local veterans. The new floor of the Regional Military Museum will henceforth be known as the “Will Theriot Gallery.”

Here is the official statement on Theriot’s history with the Regional Military Museum, written by Museum Secretary Linda Theriot: “When Will Theriot moved back to our area in 2005, he was volunteering with a group of friends in Cut Off, his hometown. He was invited to attend a round table discussion at the Main Library. At the round table session, C.J. Christ asked him to consider volunteering at the museum. He went home and discussed it with his wife, and he decided that he could volunteer one day a week.

“He soon found out that one day a week was not enough, and thereafter, he found himself at the museum volunteering five days a week. He was invited to attend a Board of Directors meeting and before long, he was invited to serve on the Board. He is presently serving as the President of the Board. He wears many hats in the museum even today. One example is that as a docent, he provides tours in English and or French. Because the museum had no money, his truck was used as the museum truck. Because the museum had no money, his camera became the museum camera. Because the museum had no money and had an antiquated MS Dos operating system in their computer, soon his computer became the museum computer, etc., etc.

“At that time the museum had very little money coming in. On many occasions, when the museum ran short of funds, C.J. and Will would pay for equipment to
cover bills out of their own pocket. Many days were spent on the road trying to get legislation passed to create the Terrebonne Parish Veterans Memorial District. He attended many committee meetings paying all expenses to Baton Rouge, and finally, a bill was passed for the Terrebonne Parish Veterans Memorial District. The creation of the Veterans Board meant that we could get funds to help this wonderful museum grow. He said they had a lot of help from many wonderful volunteers and members to get everything rolling. However, his constant presence and every step of the way lasted 18 years. He watched and helped to guide the museum grow from its humble beginning to the wonderful museum you can see today. On many occasions he would travel even out of state to pick up artifacts and still doing that today.

“His present goal is to see that the museum’s second and third floor are completed, and the vision from the very beginning becomes a reality. He said that through the years many wonderful volunteers helped to make the museum what it is today. Their time, work and dedication are very much appreciated. Again, his desire is to complete the museum to its full glory.”

Theriot was also recently honored by the Terrebonne Parish Council for his many continued years of service to the Regional Military Museum and local veterans. For more information about the Regional Military Museum, please visit their Facebook— and be sure to check out their brand-new Will Theriot Gallery!