Memorial Day ceremony in St. Landry Parish honors soldiers

ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY) — The St. Landry Parish Memorial Day Ceremony helps keep the names of fallen veterans from the area alive, with a unique ceremony celebrated by the community.

“It keeps us going,” said Webster Reed Sr. whose son, Staff Sergeant Jonathan Ray Reed, died in the Iraq War. “It gives us a sense of purpose.”

A list of fallen soldiers was shouted out along with a seven-bell salute. According to the Secretary of Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Charlton Meginley, the following are the number of soldiers from St. Landry who died in recent wars:

WW1: 61
WW2: 92
Korean War: 21
Vietnam War: 20
War on terrorism: 5

Meginley emphasized the importance of Memorial Day and what it stands for.

“I think it’s important for us to take solace in the fact that because of their sacrifice, we know that Americans today have a better life for their service.”

Families of the fallen were honored and given tokens with their loved one’s name on it. Jonathan ray reed was one of the names who were honored.

“This has been keeping us going because it hurts, but we get to grieve with other families and it makes a big difference,” said Webster talking about what Memorial Day means for his family.

A 21-gun salute and a raising of the flag concluded the ceremony.