Veterans Monument Opens at PCGH
Led by Pointe Coupee General Hospital, Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury, the American Legion, and numerous donations, the Veterans Monument was dedicated this past Saturday to great fanfare.
The monument features 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall granite stones supporting the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. Flags for each branch of service and the POW/MIA are displayed as well as the American Flag. Hundreds of personalized bricks mark the service of local men and women.
Major General Stephen Dabadie highlighted the monument’s opening by speaking to a crowd of nearly 200 people who had gathered for the ceremony:
Thank you to all of those who have worked so hard on this monument. It is indeed something we and all of Pointe Coupee Parish can be proud of.
President Calvin Coolidge once said, ”The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.” Pointe Coupee Parish’s citizens have now come together to dedicate this beautiful veterans monument designed to remember those men and women of Pointe Coupee heritage who have served and are serving to preserve our freedoms.
Whenever America or her interest have been threatened, men and women from Pointe Coupee Parish and across the nation have responded with strength, purpose and resolve. Each of our veterans along with their families made a sacrifice to serve that sacred pact between warrior and society.
This dedication ceremony is a time to set apart a particular place in order to honor and memorialize those Pointe Coupee veterans who served our country in war time and in times of peace. It is a symbol of gratitude and honor. It reflects a part of the past, present, and future of Pointe Coupee Parish.
Veteran George Miller was instrumental in bringing together all the pieces for monument. His idea for the project was born a little over a year ago and construction began soon after. At least 1,000 personalized bricks needed to be sold before construction could begin, but that number was far exceeded. Personalized bricks can still be ordered, according to Miller.
“This monument is all about the veterans, the men and women who served in the military to keep America free. Many gave their lives in that effort, all made sacrifices and I wanted Pointe Coupee to have a monument dedicated to those great men and women.”
Pointe Coupee General Hospital and the Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury approved a portion of the hospital grounds for the American Legion to construct a veterans monument last year. The monument has been paid for by the donations received from the sale of personalized bricks and personal donations.
Small batches of personalized bricks are still available. To participate, fill out the brick order form or contact one of the following:
Anthony Daisy
(225) 638-9009 or (225) 718-1575
tdaisy50@bellsouth.net
George Miller
(225) 287-4068
chacha46@bellsouth.net
Jamie Lecoq
(225) 937-1686
bigmac723@live.com
Ben Farrar
(504) 220-7918
benfarrar@att.net
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Email: mediarelations@pcgh.org
