The Kinder Cemetery Association’s 27th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Avenue of Flags was held Monday, May 29, at Kinder Bible Church.
Commissioner Eric Kuyper said, “We need to remember and honor our veterans that are no longer with us and the heros that paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat defending our nation and preserving freedom. Memorial Day is the one day a year that is 100 percent about remembering their legacy and stories.”
Many of those stories can be found in the local cemeteries where headstones depict those who died while serving their country and also marks those who returned home to live full lives after fighting for their country’s freedom.
Guests were welcomed to the program by Scott LaFleur, a member of the Kinder Cemetery Association’s board of directors.
Invocation was given by Lawrence Rasberry, VFW Post 12203 Chaplain. The Southwest Louisiana Chapter 215 of the Vietnam Veterans of America posted the colors. Chad Sanders, Allen Parish Police Juror, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Cara Bushnell, secretary at Reed-Riley Smith and Son’s Funeral Home, sang the National Anthem.
The Memorial Day Address was given by Eric Kuyper, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs and member of the Kinder Cemetery Association Board.
A tribute to the fallen and laying of the wreath was led by Bill Miller, a member of the Kinder Cemetery Association and Southwest Louisiana Chapter 215 Vietnam Veterans of America.
Roll call of deceased veterans and tolling of the bell was done by a trio of members of the Kinder Cemetery Association board. Thomas Mayes, honorary board member; and Gene LaFleur, vice president led the roll call. Gerald Romero rang the bell.
The flower girls were Azlynn Kuyper, Alora Kuyper and Jade Elizabeth Smith. They placed flowers on the symbolic grave to carry on the tradition that began after the Civil War’s Battle of Shiloh (in Hardin County, Tenn., from April 6, to April 7, 1862). On May 5, 1868, Decoration Day was organized on May 30, where flowers were used to decorate the graves of the war dead.
The gun salute was made possible by the Southwest Louisiana Chapter 215 Vietnam Veterans of America.
Taps was performed by Diego Wade, a senior at Kinder High School.
And retirement of the colors was also made possible by the Southwest Louisiana Chapter 215 Vietnam Veterans of America.
