Memorial dedication held in Rayne

Ceremonies held Thursday (May 26) officially designated Louisiana Highway 35 through Rayne as Veterans Parkway.
“This is very fitting that we do this today as we enter the Memorial Day weekend and with work about to start in ernest on Veterans Park,” said Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux.
The legislative action to have La. 35 designated as Veterans Parkway was spearheaded locally by Larry Guidry, a retired Air Force veteran.
Guidry explained that he had noticed a number of area municipalities were designating certain roadways in honor of veterans and thought, “Why not Rayne?”
Since La. 35 is a state highway, the action had to go through the state legislature, and that’s where Rep. Jack Montoucet, D-Crowley, came in.
“I knew I couldn’t go to Baton Rouge and ague there, so I called Representative Montoucet and it happened,” Guidry said.
Robichaux pointed out that the designation does not “change the address” for any individual living or business operating along La. 35.
“It’s an ‘overlay’ of the name,” he said. “It’s still The Boulevard or South Adams or North Adams, depending upon where you are, but the whole roadway, from the northern city limits to the southern city limits, will be designated as Veterans Parkway.”
Veterans joining Guidry for the ceremonies at city hall included Andrus Fontenot, Mike Bourque, Robert Comeaux and James Montgomery.
A number of city officials also were present. Deacon Tommy Adams delivered the invocation and the benediction while City Clerk Annette Cutrera sang The National Anthem following the Pledge of Allegiance.
Asked when the signage would be installed, Randall Morgan and Ricky Lavvergne with the state Department of Transportation and Development promised, “As soon as we leave here today.”