Avoyelles honors its veterans on Nov. 11

 

   While Veterans Day is a time to remember those men and women who have served -- in war and in peace -- in this nation’s military, those attending the annual event sponsored by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe at the Avoyelles Veterans Monument at the site of Paragon Casino Resort were reminded of just what that service means.

    John Bordelon, a retired Air Force major general living near Bunkie, served as master of ceremonies.

   “A few words from our Commander in Chief,” Bordelon told the crowd assembled under a tent. 

  “The United States military is the strongest, most capable fighting force the world has ever known,” he read. “The brave men and women of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard demonstrate a resolute spirit and unmatched selflessness, and their service reminds us there are few things more American than giving of ourselves to make a difference in the lives of others.

  “On Veterans Day, we reflect on the immeasurable burdens borne by so few in the name of so many,” the President’s statement continued, “and we rededicate ourselves to supporting those who have worn America’s uniform and the families who stand alongside them.”

   Bordelon told the group that Americans throughout the nation’s history have “bravely answered the call to defend our freedom, to aid our friends and allies, and to turn back aggressors.

   “This nation can never repay our debt of gratitude to the more than 650,000 American servicemen who have died in battle or the 1.4 million who were wounded,” he continued. “We can, however, recognize and thank the nearly 22 million veterans still living today.

  “Today, it is our privilege and our honor to say ‘Thank you” to all of America’s veterans, and especially our Avoyelles Parish veterans, and let them know we appreciate them for their service and honor them for their sacrifice.”

  Bordelon said there are more than 3,100 veterans in Avoyelles Parish who have served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Desert Storm and the War on Terror campaigns, as well as smaller military operations over the past 70 years. He said many sons and daughters of Avoyelles are currently serving this nation in the military.

  Bordelon said this nation sent 4.7 million men to war in World War I and lost 53,402 soldiers killed in combat. Another 204,002 were wounded. Worldwide, 9 million were killed and 21 million wounded in the “War To End All Wars.”

  He said there are 1.6 million WWII veterans still alive today of the 16.1 million who served in that war. There were 291,557 Americans killed in combat and 670,846 wounded. There are still 2 million U.S. veterans of the Korean War living, out of 5.7 million who fought. There were 33,739 combat deaths and 103,284 Americans wounded in that war. There are 7.3 million Vietnam War veterans living today out of over 8.7 million who served. There were 58,209 Americans killed and 153,303 wounded in that war, which lasted from November 1955 until April 1975.

   Bordelon said 2.24 million of the 2.32 million veterans of Desert Storm are alive. There were 292 combat deaths and 776 wounded in that short campaign to oust Iraq from Kuwait between August 1990 and February 1991. In the nation’s current War on Terror, 6,639 U.S. soldiers, sailors and airmen have been killed in battle with another 50,422 wounded in action.  

  The nation suffered the loss of 16 Department of Defense civilian workers and over 3,000 civilians killed and over 6,000 wounded in the 9/11/2001 attacks.

   Bordelon closed his remarks by noting that “those that embrace evil today are able to do so with what they believe is acceptable risk. Defeat and surrender are no longer feared.”

  However, he continued, “Let us remind ourselves and everyone else that the American and Allied veterans we honor today know all too well how to defeat evil and force it to surrender.”

 

   R.H. Deason of Hessmer was recognized as the  oldest veteran at the ceremony.

  Deason, 93, served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific “for three years, three months and 28 days,” he said with a smile. He was the only WWII veteran at the casino’s ceremony.

  “When we enlisted, we signed up for the duration of the war plus six months,” he said. “I went away a civilian and I came back a civilian.”

  In between the going away and the coming back, Deason served on several Pacific islands, including New Guinea and the Philippines.

  He was assigned to Tokyo after Japan surrendered, “and I was sent home from there.”

  The East Texas native says he has enjoyed living in Avoyelles Parish for over 50 years.

  Several people attending the services came up afterwards to shake Deason’s hand and thank him for his service to the country.

  “Thank you for your service,” one man said. 

  Deason, recognizing him as a veteran of a more recent war, replied, “And thank you for yours.”