by DON WEST

I am a proud veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. I am a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, a member of the American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). Recently, I was thrilled to be part of a group of veterans who escorted one of our fellow veterans to his final duty station. From time to time, you may read in an obituary that the deceased will be buried with full military rites. Sometimes that is such a simple statement, I believe it fails miserably in describing the true meaning.

When a young man or woman leaves the comfort of home, family, job, friends, and acquaintances and is sent off to serve his or her country in the military, it, as has been said many times, is a commitment up to and including offering one’s life for the preservation of freedom for all of the rest of us. No one returns from military service untouched by the experience. Many have gone forth and lost their lives and most of those were buried with full military rites, but many more have served, returned, and when finally met death were interred without any acknowledgement of their military service. Some choose not to, but many others may not be aware that their service to this nation entitles them to a full military sendoff. One of the functions of military organizations such as our local American Legion Chapter is to provide an Honor Guard to perform the ceremonies to honor a fallen veteran.

If you have never witnessed one of these ceremonies, you have missed a beautiful tribute in honor of an American hero. No matter their lot in life, one who has served their country is a hero and deserves a hero’s sendoff when they die. This past week, a member of both the American Legion and the VVA local chapters was given that beautiful tribute. Mr. Kirt Guidry, a career Air Force member, died and was honored with full military rites. The American Legion Chapter Honor Guard, which has been performing these ceremonies for a number of years now, performed the prayer and the folding and presentation of The Flag to Kirt’s grandson, who is presently a member of the Armed Forces and a veteran of combat duty in the Middle East. He, in turn, presented The Flag to his grandmother, widow of the deceased. The combined Honor Guard rifle platoons of the local American Legion and Vietnam Veterans, along with the Honor Guard from the VVA Chapter in Kinder, performed the three-volley rifle send off, followed by the playing of Taps by two buglers in a beautiful echoing version of that sad melody.

Though this is always a somber ceremony, the honor and pride shown for the fallen warrior is a tribute to his or her service to mankind, and hopefully the making of a memory that the family can retain and cherish for a lifetime.

This traditional sendoff, though not always included for all honored veterans, included the posting of the guard at Kirt’s casket for the full schedule of visitation. It is a tradition of all branches of military service that we never leave our fallen behind. Though some young people may have questioned why one of us was standing at the casket at all times, hopefully, their memory of that dedication will follow them and instill the pride of duty to God and country.

I mentioned at the beginning that I was a combat veteran, but I did so because I want to remind all of you that in any war there are veterans of combat and veterans who never set foot on the battleground, but are as important to the war effort as anyone who carries a rifle. There are few combat veterans who would have changed places with those who remained behind and had the horrible jobs of processing bodies and notifying next of kin of their losses. Those veterans deserve honor and thanks far above that which they receive.

Memorial Day is approaching. Please take time to fly your flag, thank a veteran, and remember the sacrifices that have been made for us.

Tuesday, the state legislature sent a bill to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s desk that would prohibit posting to social media sites while driving. The bill was sponsored by Livingston Sen. Dale Erdey who said law enforcement officers in the City of Walker reported stopping drivers who looked to be texting. After being pulled over, the drivers said they were not texting, rather posting to Facebook or Instagram, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Erdey, quoting a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study, said sending or receiving a text distracts the driver from the road for about 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving 55 miles per hour the length of an entire football field. Social networking takes more time than a text, he added.

Kudos to our state leaders for passing this bill, which undoubtedly will keep some from updating their Facebook status while driving down interstate. However, doesn’t the need for such a law show the lack of priorities we all have as drivers? The media and public discuss the dangers inebriated drivers pose on roadways but cell phones are becoming an even bigger problem. Many people fear being pulled over by a law enforcement officer if they are driving while intoxicated; how many fear being stopped by a cop for texting or uploading a picture to Instagram? The truth is, anyone who misuses their cell phone while driving poses just as much danger as the intoxicated driver.

While it’s doubtful the fines for misusing cell phones while operating a vehicle will be extraordinary, hopefully the penalties are enough to make people think twice. Lives have even been lost in Jeff Davis Parish due to drivers paying more attention to a phone than the road. How many more lives should be lost before we realize our phones are not as important as person?

The bride-elect is the daughter of Anthony “Wayne” Fruge and Danielle Fruge of Jennings. She is the granddaughter of Henry Myers Jr. of Jennings and the late Dorothy Gary Myers and the late Lawrence Fruge and Dolores Mire Fruge of Jennings.

Dr. Kyle Richey and Tiffany Fruge

Aline Hebert Pavlu

It is with great sadness that the family of Aline Hebert Pavlu announces her passing from this life and into the arms of Jesus on May 21, 2013, at the age of 95.

Funeral services honoring Aline’s life were held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings today, Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 1 p.m. She was laid to eternal rest beside her beloved husband, Leroy, in Calvary Cemetery. Father Charles McMillin officiated.

Visitation was held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings today, Thursday, May 23, 2013, from 9 a.m. until the time of her funeral services at 1 p.m.

Aline was born in Evangeline to the late Antoine Hebert and the late Marie LeJeune Hebert on Jan. 31, 1918. She was a homemaker and devoted her life to taking care of her husband and raising her three children. She enjoyed doing yard work, working in her flower beds and talking about politics.

Aline is survived by her son, Rev. Ricki D. (Beverly) Pavlu of Church Point; one daughter, Carol (Don) O’Brien of Leesville;  her four grandchildren, Paul Deaville, Corrie Walton, Jared Pavlu and Layna Lewis; and six great-grandchildren.

Aline now rests in Heaven with her beloved family who preceded her in death: her parents, Antoine and Marie L. Hebert; her husband, Leroy Ladis Pavlu; and her three brothers, Elridge “Bo”, Fred and Cleveland Hebert.

To extend online condolences, please visit www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.

The bill passed the Senate Wednesday with an 88-1 vote.

Daily News Staff Writer

Jeff Davis Parish residents with access to an e-reader such as Kindle or iPad have an opportunity to participate in a world-wide reading initiative this month.

The book, “The Four Corners of the Sky” by The New York Time’s bestselling author Michael Malone, will be available for free for those with a Jeff Davis Parish Library card.

Submitted photo

IOTA – The Iota High School seniors bid farewell to their classmates, friends, teachers and school at a graduation ceremony held Tuesday at Bulldog Stadium.

The class of 77 students WAS awarded nearly half a million dollars in scholarships for continued education.

Daily News photo by Sarah Wilson

Assistant Editor

WELSH – Things here are getting a little trashy when it comes to caring for public parks.

Town Recreation Director Michelle Ramagos told the Welsh Board of Aldermen Tuesday that litter is becoming a problem, with more than the average discarded cup or food wrapper being left behind.