Southwest Louisiana honors the fallen at Memorial Day services

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Southwest Louisiana is honoring Memorial Day today through several services and memorials.

The Lake Charles tradition Avenue of Flags is celebrating its 40th year honoring veterans in Lake Charles. The Orange-Graceland cemetery roads are lined with flags, each representing an individual veteran.

The event is the largest display of U.S. flags in the country and is open all day to the public to drive through. Bud Harless, a Korean War veteran, said he wants people to realize how important Memorial Day is.

“So many people don’t realize the importance of Memorial Day. It’s not just another day off. I think our younger generations coming up especially need to know they can do whatever they want because we went and fought for them to be able to do so,” Harless said.

Across the parish, another town is honoring veterans. The Vinton VFW post held a memorial service Monday morning to honor veterans from the area.

The event included song, prayer and speeches. One of these speeches was given by guest speaker Mallory Lessarge, who is a Vietnam veteran and state director of Vietnam Veterans America.

Lessarge said today is important for several reasons.

“I think about those guys who fought with me in places we couldn’t even pronounce. It’s crazy to think some were 18 years old, some of them took their last sip of water and last cigarette with me, and today we remember them,” Lessarge said.

Gerrit Lawrence, a Desert Storm veteran, said he’s seen up close and personal what it’s like to be in a country that does not have the same freedoms as America.

“We are able to do simple things like go to the grocery store because of those who have sacrificed for the past 200-plus years. I’ve lost my best friend to the aftereffects of war. It can be haunting and I feel like help has gotten better, but more still needs to be done for veterans in this country. Today I remember those close friends who didn’t make it back home with me,” he said.

All veterans who spoke to KPLC said they want people to remember veterans today as they enjoy the sunshine and water this Memorial Day.

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