In a country where people are free to disagree — and express those differing opinions  — Veterans Day celebrations in Southwest Louisiana this past week were a poignant reminder of a community united in its gratitude, honor and respect of its military personnel and veterans, without whom there might be no freedom of expression at all.

Citizens marked the occasion throughout the region. West Calcasieu Port Director Lynn Hohensee was in Lake Charles at Veterans Park on Monday at the Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission event. The 28-year Army/Army Reserve retiree was moved by the community’s participation. The highlight, he said, was hearing about women who are serving on active duty or are veterans and/or retirees.

“No one brought home that message better than the guest speaker, Commander Elizabeth Newton,” he said.

Newton is the U.S. Coast Guard Commander of the Marine Safety Unit in Lake Charles.

To trace the legacy of her sisters, Newton started with the Revolutionary War when women disguised themselves as men to fight for their country, and she ended with the recent appointment of Admiral Linda L. Fegan, who assumed duties as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.     

“She’s the first woman to hold that position,” Newton said, “and I am thankful for the impact that all women have had in defending our country and setting the stage for where we are today. It has allowed me to do what I love.”

Newton joined the Coast Guard because of the reputation of the Academy’s marine biology program. A few months later 911 happened, and that’s why she stayed.

Officially and only  in Lake Charles       

The Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission drives most of the Veterans Day programming in Lake Charles. James Dodd is in his fourth three-year term as president. He is not a veteran, but he does serve veterans. (He said the 25-member board does the heavy lifting.)      

“Our job is to get the commission and the various service organizations on the same page,” Dodd said. “We work at the discretion of the mayor. The memorial we are providing is his brainchild, and we are ecstatic about the opportunity.”

The memorial Dodd is referring to is the Louisiana Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It will be located inside Veteran’s Memorial Park and pay tribute to the 885 Louisiana Vietnam War casualties, and be the official and only state of Louisiana Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

State Sen. Jeremy Stine sponsored the legislation to provide for the location, which passed both the House and Senate unanimously, Dodd said.

Stine said he was surprised to find there have been no legislative or other moves to pay homage to Vietnam veterans.

“Honoring Louisiana’s Vietnam veterans means recognizing the sacrifices, resilience and bravery they demonstrated under difficult conditions,” Stine said, “both in combat and upon returning home.

Many of those veterans faced challenges and a lack of support after their service making it all the more important to acknowledge their dedication and the hardships they endured.”

He said the acknowledgment comes with a commitment to learning from the past, as well as ensuring their stories are preserved with the respect they deserve.”

Dodd said civilians are invited to serve on the commission. Meetings are every second Monday of the month at 3:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.