Editor’s Note: From the May 26 editions of the American Press for 2009, 1994, 1969 and 1944.

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10 years ago

At the 26th annual Avenue of Flags Memorial Day ceremony, community leaders encouraged residents to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. Maj. Gen. Hunt Downer Jr. of the Louisiana National Guard, gave the memorial address.

State Rep. Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, noted that the Avenue of Flags has reached 800 flags and is believed to be the largest display of large veterans funeral flags in the nation.

Memorial Day ceremonies

Communities and schools throughout Southwest Louisiana held Memorial Day ceremonies to honor those who sacrificed their lives in the service to their county in the armed forces.

[Editor’s note: Pictured at the various ceremonies were Sonja Lambert and Tom Plunket in DeRidder; Anna Belle

LaPointe, Kadie Bonin, Carly May and Sabrina Benoit in Lake Arthur; Earl Mayfield, Rollie G. Mayfield II, Cliff Gillespie and Thomas Mayes in Kinder; June M. Clarke, Henry Doiron and other unnamed people in Lake Charles.]

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25 years ago

LC-Boston valedictorian

Commencement exercises for Lake Charles-Boston High School were held Monday, May 16, in the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Valedictorian was Dominique Marie Jones; salutatorian was Timothy Jermaine Thomas.

Sulphur valedictorians

SULPHUR — Sulphur High School held commencement exercises Thursday, May 19, in Burton Coliseum. Valedictorians were Ruth Ann Bayard, Jody Ray Clement, Chad Lee Istre, Donielle Nicole Jordan.

Also, Timothy Bryan Miller, Dana Kay Perry, Rebekah Anne Rasbeary, Sara Elizabeth Sanford and Reni Michellier; salutatorian was Claudia Elizabeth Ardoin.

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50 years ago

Gator girls

Alice Ann Robideaux, Sue Bentley, Rhonda Ainsworth, Ann Aucoin and Paula Herr, all captains, will head the 1969-1970 Gator Girls Pep Squad at LaGrange Senior High.

The new organized group will promote school spirit at athletic functions. Mrs. K.B. Lake Jr. is sponsor and Brenda Landry and Terri LeBert are alternate captains.

In the Service

Barney S. Wescott III, electrician first class, USN, whose wife, Sandra, and two children live at 1204 17th St., recently graduated from a school in Great Lakes, Ill. He is now serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge bound for Vietnam. Wescott is on his third cruise to Vietnam.

Sidney L. Ingels Jr., Marine corporal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ingels Sr. of 804 Krause St., West Lake, is serving with the First Marine Aircraft Wing in Vietnam.

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75 years ago

Anzio breakout

NAPLES, Italy — Fanning out swiftly from the former Anzio beachhead area, Americans troops there have now linked to the main front of the Fifth Army.

Fifth Army troops captured Cisternia in heavy fighting and plunged forward more than three miles, cutting two important roads leading northward and northeastward.

Sulphur valedictorian

Both the valedictorian, Truth Joyce Vincent, and the salutatorian, Irman Dean Bayne, of the Sulphur class of 1944 have been popular students throughout their school careers.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Vincent. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. I.D. Bayne.

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Our Past is a daily feature compiled by Mike Jones.