Legion welcomes Rayne volunteers at January meeting

By Lisa Soileaux

Assistant Editor

During the January meeting of Arceneaux Post 77, American Legion, Commander Gene Comeaux and the membership welcomed four volunteers who are involved with the building project of a new animal shelter for the city of Rayne.

Introduced by the city’s animal control officer Donald Boudreaux were Brenda Donnally, Laurie Frederick, Christine Yacco and Dave MawMinn. The four are among 25 volunteers from the Pennsylvania area who volunteer their time and efforts around the country providing this service four times a year. The Rayne project will expand the city’s kennels from eight to house twenty animals, and will also include exercise yards for both small and large dogs.

Donnally thanked Post for their invitaion to the meeting and noted the generous hospitality the city and its citizens have extended to her group of volunteers.

Committee Reports:

During the memorial report, the passing of veteran Sidney Broussard was announed.

Under sick call, Albert LeBlanc and Charles “Moon” Chappuis were noted.

Membership included 197 paid up memberships or 85% of Post 77’s goal.

Service report - paperless claims are going well with hundreds already processed. Not only veterans, but widows were urged to apply for benefits (many benefits are avilable for claims that veterans and spouses are not aware of - please contact the local service office in Crowley).

Commander Comeaux announced the availability of legionnaires to check-out a CD from Post 77 which includes the procession and final trip home of Korean MIA Sgt. Clement Thibodeaux Jr., whose remains were laid to rest in Church Point on Sept. 7, 2013. The special ceremony included the procession from Baton Rouge to Church Point for a proper burial.

In a joint program for the February meeting, Commander Comeaux stated the Young Law Enforcement Officer and the Young Firemen Awards will be presented.

Un update was also given on the plans and preparations of the anticipated Veterans Memorial now being planned for the City of Rayne veterans.

A reminder was also given of the new video poker machines now available for play in the bar area of the Legion Home.

With no other business to come before the Legion, the meeting was adjourned and a delicious meal was provided by the Legion cooks.