Parish veterans memorial dedication upcoming

The St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial Committee will hold the dedication and unveiling of the new memorial to parish veterans Wednesday at 6 p.m. The memorial is located at 5348 Hwy. 182 South in Opelousas.
Parking for the dedication will be at Equine Sales of Louisiana at 372 Harry Guilbeau Road in Opelousas, a short distance from the monument.
Trolley service provided by the Town of Washington and buses provided by the school board and the Opelousas Police Department will transport people to and from the the memorial site. Transporting will begin at 4:45 p.m.
The memorial has been a decade in the making, with Pat Mason-Guillory spearheading it along the way.
Its five black granite panels feature the names of every St. Landry Parish veteran who has died in the line of duty since World War I
The program will begin with the Reverend James Brady offering the blessing and opening prayer. The flag will be raised by Northwest High JROTC. The national anthem will be performed in English by Charles Ross and in French by Brae Lalonde Dubose.
The keynote speaker will be Maj. Gen. (Ret) John Basilica, Jr., Army National Guard with 33 years of service.
Opelousas Community Choir will perform a variety of patriotic songs.
The unveiling of a bronze statue will be done by Keith Myers and sons, accompanied by members of the committee.
The unveiling of the monument will be done by Bobby Dupre, who donated the 10-acre site, and Jerome Gaudet, accompained by members of the committee.
The POW/MIA prayer will be said by Eli Landry, committee member.
A special tribute for all fallen heroes will be given by Roy and Myra Baker.
The program will conclude with a 21-gun salute.