“We’re here today to remember our heroes, their achievements, their courage and their dedication, and to say thank you for their sacrifices,” Cemetery Director Dwayne Guidry said. “Thinking of the heroes who join us in this group today and those who are here only in spirit, a person can’t help but feel awed by the enormity of what we encounter. We stand in the midst of patriots and the family and friends of those who have nobly served.

Those honored came from all walks of life, but shared several fundamental qualities, Guidry said.

“They possessed courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity – all the qualities needed to serve a cause greater than one’s self,” he said.

“Many of them didn’t ask to leave their homes to fight on distant battlefields,” he continued. “Many didn’t even volunteer. They didn’t go to war because they loved fighting. They were called to be part of something bigger than themselves. They were ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways in extreme times. They rose to the nation’s call because they wanted to protect a nation which has given them, us, so much.”

“Today we remember, appreciate and honor all who have served in the Armed Forces of our nation,” veteran Sam Doucet of American Legion Post 19 said. “When the call of our country was sounded the able continued to answer and self was forgotten in the cause of the greater good. As braved and able citizens they marched away with the abiding faith in our God, our country and flag.”

The Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery is the final resting place for 304 veterans and 47 dependents from across Southwest Louisiana and other parts of the state. Many of those interred have given their lives while protecting the lives of others, according to Deacon Mike Tramel.

“We thank you for all the sacrifices of those who have gone before us that give us the freedom that we enjoy today,” Tramel said in delivering the invocation.

Lenor Cox, widow of Ted Wayne Cox Sr., who was the first veteran buried in the cemetery, said the cemetery is about providing a final resting place to remember and show respect to the heroes who have given their all to protect this country and its freedoms.

“I can’t stress enough how proud, excited and pleased I am that we have such a beautiful and well staffed cemetery that offers us, not only a peaceful and beautiful resting place, but forever well groomed grounds maintained, maintained and cleaned headstones and grounds free of debris where our flags fly high day and night and we hear the ringing of the bell tower,” Cox said.

Cox, who now volunteers at the cemetery, said it is an opportunity for her to be with her late husband and help fellow veterans and their families through a difficult time.

Lake Charles resident Jaquetta Fontenot, whose husband, Roy Fontenot, was buried in the cemetery earlier this year, expects he will be the first in a long line of loved ones to be buried there.

At first, Fontenot said she was reluctant to have her husband buried so far from home until she visited the cemetery and met its staff. Today she said her husband is laid to rest among heroes and called on those attending the ceremony to continue to pause, recognize the dedication and service of those buried in what she calls the” Arlington Cemetery of Louisiana.”

“How do we honor these veterans here today. No matter what is going on in this world today, this is the day the Lord has made and I am going to rejoice in this day. I am not going to worry about what is going on in this world. I choose to live to honor these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice their lives so I can live in the land of freedom and the home of the brave.”

Veteran Harry Lloyd Ardoin Jr., whose wife is buried in the cemetery, said he is thankful to have a place so close to bury his wife. He has visited her grave daily for the past year.

“When we were in the war, the ladies were home,” he said. “They didn’t know if we were coming home or not.”

Like veterans, Ardoin said the spouses deserve a peaceful place to be buried and for family to visit.