DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
W e d n e s d ay, A p r i l 8, 2026
LIVES IN SERVICE
1GN
PROVIDED PHOTO BY MICHAEL BRADLEY
Michael Bradley and his wife, pharmacist Dr. Keisa Bradley. Michael Bradley is a three-time corneal transplant recipient and the organizer for the upcoming Laugh Olympics.
FUN for FUNDS Laugh Olympics fundraiser planned for organ recipients, donors who compete in national Transplant Games
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer STAFF PHOTOS BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Janice Watson, left, wipes tears from her eyes after the unveiling a marker dedicated to her and Jack Watson as members of her family gather around during the Welcome Home event for Vietnam Veterans at Memorial Park on Saturday.
Longtime volunteers Jack and Janice Watson honored during marker dedication at veterans park Community news report Over a hundred parish residents came together on a recent Saturday to honor Vietnam Veterans and to attend the dedication the Veterans Memorial Park Pavilion’s dedication in honor of longtime champions of all veterans Jack and Janice Watson. They called it a “Welcome Home” ceremony for Vietnam veterans, many who didn’t get a welcoming homecoming during and after that war. Jackie “Jack” Ronald Watson, a Kentucky native, along with other veterans went to former Parish President Tommy Martinez more than 20 years ago to have a park dedicated to volunteers. Martinez talked about that journey with Watson and praised the veteran for his commitment to service. Right by Watson’s side on most of his projects was his wife, Janice. Janice Watson, their children and grandchildren attended the March 28 ceremony. Veterans Memorial Park has hosted Veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies and other patriotic events. Martinez explained that dedicating the pavilion in Jack and Janice’s honor was fitting because of their commitment to its construction and maintenance. Watson enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov, 8, 1957, and trained as a combat engineer. He served with Company D, 317th Engineer Battalion in Germany. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 17, 1960. Both were responsible for many
Veterans Leonard Gronowski, left, and Toivo Lemmiksoo shake hands and thank each other for their service during the Welcome Home event for Vietnam Veterans at Veterans Memorial Park. improvements in the park, including landscaping, adding Kiosks for more recent military events, names of those killed in action on monuments, and the brick paver program. Jack and Janice were also prominent in bringing the Moving Wall to Gonzales in 2009. Jack served as chairman of the Park Committee until 2013 and remained a committee member after stepping down; Janice served for several years as treasurer and also remained a committee member. Jack held several offices in the VVA Chapter 725, more prominently as the
president. Janice also held several positions as an associate member. Both were involved in the Sheriff’s Christmas Toy Project. Jack was known to travel to Angola Petitionary several times a year to bring lumber for construction projects, such as toys and chairs. Jack would also bring old bikes and parts to be repaired and repainted to give back to the community kids Jack was awarded the Vietnam Veterans of America, Louisiana
ä See VOLUNTEERS, page 2G
Games such as the Dizzy Izzy bat relay race and a rubber chicken shot put are sure to bring fun to the inaugural Laugh Olympics Community Event on Saturday, April 25. The Laugh Olympics, a fundraiser for the Transplant Games of America, will be held at the WAG Center in Donaldsonville from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The family-friendly event will also include food, music, prizes and local vendors. Michael Bradley, a three-time corneal transplant recipient, is organizing the benefit to help Louisiana athletes travel to the June Transplant Games of America in Denver. “The Transplant Games of America is one of the most amazing events in the country that most people haven’t heard of,” Bradley said. “Every state in the nation has a team or two represented to compete in swimming, track and field, tennis, golf, dance, volleyball, basketball, darts, poker and more.” Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to athletes during the Transplant Games of America for their efforts. “The Transplant Games is an opportunity to honor, celebrate and encourage those that gave life, received life, will donate life in the future and those no longer with us,” Bradley said. “Fifty to sixty people are awaiting transplants in Ascension Parish,” Bradley added. “Around 10 to 20 actually receive transplants annually.” For Bradley, the games are personal and provide a chance to help other transplant recipients. “I received my first corneal transplant Aug. 10, 1992, in Birmingham, Alabama,” Bradley said. “The second was Aug. 12, 2012, in Jackson, Mississippi. My most recent surgery was on July 17, 2025, in Baton Rouge.” Bradley works at East St. John High School as a certified physical education teacher and the owner of The Physique Dr, a personal training boutique in Gonzales. “Being a three-time corneal recipient, my life was resurrected because someone was kind enough to donate their organs,” Bradley said. “I feel it is my duty to promote this event and solicit organ donors.” The WAG Center will host a day of games, food, vendors and families. “I chose the WAG Center as the location for the Laugh Olympics because they do great
ä See LAUGH, page 3G
Swamp Pop at the Post
Tyler Waguespack: Rodeo champ
Natalie and Southern Accent will perform Sunday at the VFW Post 3693 Hall, 42430 Churchpoint Road, Gonzales. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door. The music kicks off at 2 p.m.
said. Some guys dream Waguespack of playing football, graduated from basketball, baseball East Ascension, or what we call the still calls Gonzales “traditional” sports home and loves at the highest level Troy spending time with when growing up, LeBoeuf his family when well, Tyler WaguesASCENSION chasing the number pack is not one of SPORTS one world ranking them. in rodeo. “Growing up, other “Enjoying this kids did the normal STAFF FILE PHOTO BY HEATHER MCCLELLAND sports; we did rodeos, and Good Friday with my During a 2009 steer wrestling practice session, Tyler Waguespack, I wouldn’t change that for ä See LEBOEUF, page 3G anything,” Waguespack 18, prepares for the National High School Rodeo Championship.
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Garden Club flower show set The Gonzales Garden Club will present a flower show April 8-10 at the main Ascension Parish Library branch on Irma Boulevard. This
ä See AROUND, page 2G