Community

On Tuesday, June 9, the Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 1058 met at the Friends Supporting Friends building for the regular monthly meeting. The organization elected and installed new officers for the upcoming year.

The Jennings Garden Club recently announced the gardens of the month for June. The residential garden of the month (left) is located at the home of Shane and Betsy Miller at 439 East Division. The business garden of the month (right) is located at the Jennings Police and Fire departments.

On June 9, (at right, from left) American Legion 7th District Vice Commander Glenn McFarlain and Post 19 Commander Horace Naquin presented the American Legion Department of Louisiana 7th District Citizen of the Year Award for 2019 to Vera Abraham. Abraham was nominated for the award by James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion from Jennings. Although Mrs. Abraham enjoyed a successful 28 year history as an elementary school teacher in Jeff Davis, it is her outstanding work with many volunteer organizations in the area, most of which occurred after her retirement from teaching in 1986, that has gained the tremendous admiration and respect which she enjoys in the community.

On June 9, 2020 (below, from left), American Legion 7th District Vice Commander Glenn McFarlain, Post 19 Commander Horace Naquin and Jennings Fire Chief Bobby Vasseur presented the American Legion Department of Louisiana 7th District Firefighter of the Year Award for 2019 to Assistant Fire Chief Coty Courville. Courville was nominated for the award by the Jennings Fire Department and James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion from Jennings. The 7th District is comprised of 35 American Legion posts located in 8 southwest Louisiana parishes. Courville has been a valued contributing member of the fire department for 34 years and he is one of the most comprehensively trained firefighters in the history of the Jennings Fire Department. As a firefighter he has been trained in pump operations, rescue training, fire rescue operations, fire extinguishers, farm extrication, survival techniques, pipeline emergency response and big box store firefighting. He is Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) who has been trained as a health care provider of emergency medical services. He is an expert in hazardous materials operations. He has been trained in Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Response. He has received HAZMAT Technician Level Certification and has been schooled to serve as a HAZMAT On Scene Coordinator. He has also attended a Homeland Security Active Shooter Preparedness Workshop. He has served as an arson investigator, the Chief Safety Officer and the Public Education Officer for the JFD. He has been his Fire Department’s Training Officer. He is an accomplished Firefighting Instructor who has been a Guest Instructor for Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

On June 9, American Legion 7th District Vice Commander Glenn McFarlain (left) presented the American Legion Department of Louisiana 7th District Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award for 2019 to Detective Blake Bergeaux (right). Bergeaux was nominated for the award by the Jennings Police Department and James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion from Jennings.

The Jeff Davis chapter (Alpha Kappa Chapter) of Delta Kappa Gamma installed new officers at their meeting Tuesday. Newly installed President Lucinda Stark (on right), of Lacassine, received the President’s gavel from Anne Arceneaux (on left), of Jennings, outgoing President. Other officers installed were Jackie Brown, first vice president; Anne Arceneaux, second vice president; Glennella Bowers, recording secretary; Cynthia Arceneaux, corresponding secretary and Kathy Mack, newsletter editor.