VFW awards: Teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers honored

Local teachers, firefighters and law enforcement officers were among those honored at the VFW Post 8971 hosts award banquet Monday night.
About 100 people attended the event, and those at the event also celebrated the post’s 65th birthday.
Cpl. Charles B. David with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office was honored as the department’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. David has been with the sheriff’s office since 2006, and he is a graduate of the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Academy. David worked in the department’s patrol division for nine years, and attained the rank of corporal in the division. David transferred to the department’s Criminal Investigative Unit in June 2015.
In February 2014, David was diagnosed with a rare cancer, and he underwent major surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. He was cancer free until January of this year, when he was again diagnosed with the disease.
Maj. Ricky Leger Sr., David’s supervisor, said, “Blaine is now fighting again with cancer. Blaine has given his life to public service. He’s a perfect example of what I think all deputies in public service should strive to be like. Today, we want to honor the man. Lift him up because he gave his all for us. He is a true public servant.”
Deputy Chief Richard Daigle with the Eunice Police Department was honored as the city’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Daigle served in the U.S. Navy before joining the police department as a reserve officer. He joined the department full-time in 1990. Daigle is also a member of VFW Post 8971.
Police Chief Randy Fontenot said, “Richard is a public servant who has dedicated his entire life to public service.”
He continued, “I remember when I was a patrolman with the police department, he was on the reserve force, so he was on the force where you come out and work for free. He did that for several years before he got hired on full time. He advanced through the ranks as sergeant and lieutenant and has served in just about every position there is in the police department.”
Daigle served as chief of detectives, and in October 2015, he was promoted to deputy chief.
“Which is — unless he knocks me out and takes my place — is the highest he is going to get at the police department in Eunice,” Fontenot said, laughing. “I thank him. He has dedicated his life to the service of our country and this city, and we do very much appreciate it.”
Acadia Parish Fire Protection District 4 Chief Harral Johnson and one of his firefighters, Gaylynn Pousson, were honored as Firefighters of the Year.
Johnson recalled the first time Pousson drove a fire truck to a call out.
“Gaylynn was my first female driver on a fire truck,” Johnson said. “We get a call — mutual aid — to Basile for a grass fire. It was the first time she drove a fire truck to a fire, and she was going down Highway 91 like she was in a jet. She lost my dump tank off the top of the truck and did not know it. We get to the scene, and the sheriff’s department is calling (asking us), ‘Ya’ll lost a dump tank?’ Gaylynn says, ‘No.’ I said ‘Gaylnn, look at the top of the truck. It’s not there babe.’”
Post Cmdr. Terry Matte also recognized Johnson for picking up recyclables and donating the money from the recyclables to the Boy Scouts of America.
Aaron Olivier was recognized as the EMT of the Year. Aimie Fontenot, of East Elementary, was recognized as the Pre-K Teacher of the Year and Rachel Smith, of Eunice High School, was recognized at Teacher of the Year.
Donald Gene Young was recognized at the Post Veteran of the Year.
VFW Post 8971 member Gene Olivier said, “This man helped me out so much when I was post commander that I made All-American, and he is helping this commander here to make All-American.”
Matte said, “This man is the hardest working man in the business. He is 100 percent veteran. He is 100 percent VFW and 3,000 percent American.”
Post Commander Golden Awards were also given to those who assisted the VFW throughout the year.
“These are people who gave a little extra to make the post go,” Olivier said.
Award recipients were: Tammy Young, Donald Estillette, Carroll A. Ortego, Roger Veillon, Alvin Wilson, VFW Auxillary, Miguel Pousson, Christy Fontenot, Claudette Olivier, Wal-Mart of Eunice, Maj. Ricky Leger Sr., Capt. Clay Higgins and Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
For more photos from the ceremony, visit eunicetoday.com