DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
ADVOCATE THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
It’s Parish Fair time in Livingston
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W e d n e s d ay, O c t O b e r 2, 2024
1Gn
IN MEMORY
The Livingston Parish Fair kicks off Saturday with a parade, horse show and concert. The fair, which started in 1937, includes carnival rides, a rodeo, livestock exhibitions, 4-H horse show, pet show and community exhibits. Petty Betty performs at 8 p.m. Saturday. The concert also includes a karaoke contest at 10 p.m. The doors open at 7 p.m. and admission to the concert is $10. Events run from Saturday to Oct. 13 at the Livingston Fairgrounds, 13325 Florida Blvd., in Livingston. Tuesday is family night with a sixth grade spelling bee at 7 p.m. For a complete schedule, visit livingstonparishfair.com/fairschedule.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Library card holders will be able to visit state parks for free BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer
A pilot program designed to encourage people to explore Louisiana begins on Oct. 1, offering those with public library cards a day pass for any state park or historic site, along with a free backpack and other daytrip items, like binoculars and guides to birds and plants. The program is a partnership of the State Library of Louisiana and Louisiana State Parks. People can present their library card at their local library branch to get the park passes. In the initial phase of the ”Check out Louisiana State Parks” program, the number of day passes will be limited, the agencies said in a news release. In addition to East Baton Rouge, other participating parish library systems are in Livingston, Iberville, Evangeline, Jackson, Jefferson, Calcasieu, Claiborne, Morehouse, Richland, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Union, Vermillion, Vernon, Washington and Webster parishes. People will also be able to check out a pass and backpack at the state library in downtown Baton Rouge, the release said. Email Ellyn Couvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate.com.
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION
Jeff Daniel, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, does a rubbing of names of fallen combatants who are listed on the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall erected in Walker’s Sidney Hutchinson Park the week of Sept. 24-29.
Traveling wall serves as somber reminder of sacrifices made during Vietnam War BY VIC COUVILLION
Quilts of Valor
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a sad and somber reminder of what might be described as the most misunderstood war in the long history of armed conflicts in which the military forces of the United States have been engaged. Despite the questions that have been raised about that conflict, the men and women who were called upon to fight that war in a far-off South Asian nation answered the call to duty and served with honor and distinction, and the Vietnam Wall, as it is commonly called, is a tribute to the sacrifices made by all who offered their best during what was the nation’s longest-ever conflict. Local residents had the opportunity to visit the wall Sept. 25-29 when the city of Walker hosted its Fallen Warriors Tribute featuring the wall and the Cost of Freedom exhibit. The exhibit, erected in Sidney Hutchinson Park, drew large crowds of visitors throughout the week as different programs associated with the wall visit were held each day.
Of special interest was the Quilt of Valor Ceremony on Sept. 27. The highlight of the event was the awarding of special quilts made by volunteers from around the nation. The quilts are fashioned with squares bearing patriotic motifs and were made as a “thank you” gesture for veterans of the nation’s wars. Dozens of the quilts were presented to area veterans present, and in each case the veteran was briefly wrapped in the quilt, signifying the love the nation extends to its veterans. The first quilt was presented to Tollie Fletcher, a 100-year-old veteran of World War II who, while serving in the U.S. Navy, participated in the landing in Normandy, France, on D-Day. Fletcher, sitting in his wheelchair, was all smiles as two Vietnam veterans wrapped the Quilt of Valor around his shoulders. The morning’s ceremony was marked by speeches and tributes to all the nation’s veterans, with emphasis on those who served in Vietnam and in the later conflicts in the Middle East. The first to address the large crowd
Contributing writer
gathered at the park’s new pavilion was Aaron Ellis, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Gulf War. Ellis said today you have the opportunity to visit a tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation’s freedoms and beliefs. “There is a feeling of loss and grief when we view this wall,” he said. “At the same time, it brings us together emotionally as we think about what these brave men and women did for us. This is a powerful reminder that we should never forget our veterans.” Blake Ballard offered a rousing, emotional rendition of, “God Bless the USA.”
Strickland share memories Retired Col. Joey Strickland, who served for many years as Louisiana’s director of veterans services said that during the long Vietnamese conflict approximately 58,000 men and women lost their lives, while thousands more were wounded while actively engaged in the conflict. Looking back over the years since the
ä See WALL, page 4G
Yellow Jackets come from behind to down East Ascension in district opener only 18 seconds. Not much time, How do you top making the gamebut still enough for quarterback winning field goal for your team Jerry Horne to connect with John with less than two minutes to play? Gaspard for a 44-yard completion If you’re Denham Springs junior to the EA 26. Jonathan Bravo, you simply take The only remaining question was advantage of the opportunity that Charles how far Bravo’s field goal try would presents itself the very next game. Salzer be. An offsides penalty on the A week after Bravo booted the SPORTS Spartans moved the ball five yards game-winner in a 16-13 win over ROUNDUP closer, although it didn’t look like it Woodlawn, he was called on to be would have mattered. Bravo’s 28the difference-maker when the Yelyard try was straight and cleared low Jackets hosted East Ascension the crossbar with 15 yards to spare. for their District 5-5A opener. The situation was surprisingly similar to Take advantage, he did. what the Jackets had faced the previous East Ascension had tied the game 17-17 on a touchdown with 25 seconds left to ä See SALZER, page 3G play. A kickoff return to the Jackets 30 left
Denham Springs quarterback Jerry Horne (9) rolls away from East Ascension defensive linemen Jahmere Smith (94) and John Brown (96) in the second quarter of the District 5-5A matchup on Friday in Denham Springs. STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON