Lake Charles honors men, women of the armed forces
Published 5:09 pm Friday, November 11, 2022
(Rick Hickman / American Press)
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Melton, executive director of Chennault International Airport, speaks Friday during the city's annual Veterans Day celebration..(Rick Hickman / American Press)
(Rick Hickman / American Press)
(Rick Hickman / American Press)
(Rick Hickman / American Press)
The city of Lake Charles, Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission, local veterans and area residents gathered at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Friday to honor the men and women who serve in the military during the city’s annual Veterans Day Celebration.
Officials present at the ceremony were Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter; Kelly Miseles, vice president of the Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission; and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Melton, executive director of Chennault International Airport.
The ceremony was the first Veterans Day Celebration held in Memorial Park since the double-punch of Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020.
“I remember being in some moments immediately after Hurricane Laura where they were not the most comfortable,” Hunter said. “Then I remember thinking of our own men and women that have fought overseas, and been in some of the most difficult and dangerous situations, have survived and lived in scenarios that were 10 times, 100 times more difficult and challenging than what we were after Hurricane Laura.”
Melton said Veterans Day is a moment to highlight the sacrifice and perseverance of those in the armed forces.
“Today on Veterans Day, as we do every year, we take that moment to embrace all of our heroes,” he said. “We remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice … most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause.”
It is important for private citizens to remain aware of the worldwide work that the armed forces engage in, Hunter said.
“There is not some artificial umbrella of safety that is just divinely placed upon this country,” he said. “It is an umbrella of safety that is fought for and died for everyday by veterans and people around this world who are members of our military.”
The intense experience of military service post-9/11 was a focus of the celebration service.
“As a veteran who was commissioned in the early 90s, I never knew a period in my 24-year career without our country being in some sort of major conflict,” Melton said. “Looking back, it’s worth noting the continued and recurring sacrifices our men and women in military service have endured since 9/11.”
For Melton, it is imperative the knowledge and passion for America that veterans possess be passed on to younger generations.
“Young Americans are carrying on in your footsteps, the courageous footsteps of those who stood in harm’s way so that others might have a chance to find freedom, peace and happiness,” he said. “Who more than you, the veteran, could better understand how precious are the gifts of love and freedom and faith? Who more than you has the courage and the wisdom to help us protect these gifts for our children and our children’s children?”
“I think it’s so important today that we as parents, we as adults, instill in this next generation an appreciation for our veterans,” Hunter said.
