Veterans Day
Leader photos by Nancy Bergeron
World War II veteran Sam Mattox, 102, was among the attendees at Friday’s Ruston Veterans Day celebration. Mattox (above) served in the U.S. Army, finished his career as a corporal and saw action in the Southwest Pacific war theater.
U.S. Army Recruiters lay the traditional wreath as part of the event.
Program speaker Louisiana Army National Guard Brigadier Gen. Cindy Haygood thanked veterans and their families, saying families make a sacrifice. The celebration drew more than 300 people.
Louisiana Army National Guard Brigadier Gen. Cindy Haygood said Friday veterans are the backbone of America’s success.
“As a nation, we are blessed with the freedoms our veterans have fought for,” Haygood told about 300 people, many of them elementary school students, gathered at Ruston’s Railroad Park for the city’s annual Honoring Our Heroes Veterans Day celebration.
Haygood, the LANG’s assistant adjutant general, recapped the history of Veterans Day from its origin in 1919 as Armistice Day through its being renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
Veterans Day began after World War I to commemorate what was then called “ the war to end all wars.” But after subsequent conflicts occurred, Congress removed the word “Armistice” replacing it with “Veterans” and dubbing the day as one to honor all former service personnel.
“Each year we set aside this day to celebrate and pay tribute to (veterans’) devotion, patriotism, selfless service, and sacrifice,” Haygood said.
Homing in on the LANG, Haygood said the citizen soldiers are “a critical part of our nation’s defense.”
Guard members are coworkers and neighbors “but the moment they don their uniforms, they are airmen and soldiers who defend our homeland on a moment’s notice,” Haygood said.
In the past two years, guardsmen have responded to tornadoes, hurricanes, cyber attacks, COVID-19, and wildfires, she said.
“Our citizens took comfort in knowing the National Guard was always there,” Haygood said.
Friday’s program also included the traditional POW empty chair ceremony, as well as performances by the Grambling State University choir, Cedar Creek School fourth graders, and Ruston Junior High School Band.
