The Veterans of Ville Platte sponsored their annual Memorial Day ceremony at the courthouse square this (Monday) morning. The guest speaker was Lt. Col. Mike Bumpas from the 122^nd Air Support Operations Squadron at Camp Beauregard. He has had combat and combat support tours in the Balkans, Kuwait and Afghanistan. He was introduced by General Ben Soileau.

   Amanda McCormick Thibodeaux represented the Gold Star Wives of Evangeline Parish and  explained how Taps originated in the military.

    Also speaking at the event were J.D. Soileau with the Viet Nam Veterans of America Chapter 632, Patrick A, Guillory with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 41 and Cecil Colligan with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3803.

    Laurie Blanchard sang the National Anthem and God Bless America. Dr. Scott Parks presented special bagpipe music while members of the Louisiana National Guard handled the flag detail. Fr. Garrett McIntyre offered the invocation and benediction.

    The program was broadcast over KVPI 1050 AM