Memorial Day Program

The Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park Committee will present the annual Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 29 at 10 am on the Downtown Riverbank Stage. The Ft. Polk Color Guard will present and retire the colors. Local performers will present patriotic music and play taps. Lloyd Lee Ponder, will be the Keynote Speaker, focusing on the history and celebration of Memorial Day. The names of all Natchitoches Parish Veterans who have passed away during the last year will be read aloud by Park Committee Members. The Park Committee will honor the service of Mr. Lloyd A. Ponder, WWII Veteran, former POW, and Natchitoches Community Leader. Highlights of Mr. Ponder’s life and military service will be explained by individuals of the Park Committee. Individuals who have given of their talents to our park will be recognized.

There will be a tour of the Veterans Park at 9 am to view the newly installed bricks honoring Veterans and their families. These Veterans and/or families will be recognized during the 10 am Program. Anyone interested in touring the Park is invited. The Natchitoches Master Gardeners Club is responsible for the beautification of the park, and planting of the many shrubs and flowers.

Our local city and parish officials will participate in the program, as well as military officers from Ft. Polk. Col. Aristotle Vaseliades, Commander of Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, and Command Sergeant Major Shavonda Devereaux his senior enlisted advisor, will be present on stage. We are fortunate to have Bayne-Jones as our Community partner at Ft. Polk and look forward to continuing to build relationships with the new team as they change over on June 5.

After the program, the American Legion and VFW, along with the Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park Committee will host a Community Open House at the AL and VFW Post on 400 St. Denis. Refreshments and Music will be provided. Geo and Jan Darfus, will perform along with other talented musicians