Legion Post 77 marks Memorial Day 2015

Leo Spaetgens cited the lost of loved ones who gave their lives to preserve democracy during his speech Sunday morning to those gathered at the American Legion Post Hall for the annual Memorial Day observance.
He spoke of the 1,177 brothers, fathers and sons who lost their lives when the U.S. Arizona battle ship was attacked in Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.
He also spoke of the 49 men who enlisted from Mowata and the seven who didn’t return and the Rayne brothers, Arthur and Roland Myers, who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
The audience was quiet and Joyce Lyons placed a wreath of bright red paper poppy flowers on a simple white wooden cross topped by a soldier’s helmet.
Auxiliary President Bonnie Simon spoke about the Gold Star Mothers who lost sons in wars, noting Joyce Myers is the sole surviving Gold Star Mother in Rayne, and that she herself was a Gold Star Sister losing a brother in war.
As Legion Chaplain Robert Comeaux read the names of Legionnaires who had died since the 2014 Memorial Day services, Commander David Simon sounded a bell tone for each man. Remembered were Wilfred Benot, Wilton J. Benoit, Charles “Moon” Chappuis, Kerminth Cormier, Dudley J. LeBlanc, Daniel Leleux, Joseph Young and Bernard Zaunbrecher.
Auxiliary members also remembered Bobbie Arceneaux, Joyce Bill eaud and Lena Guidry.

By Paul Kedinger
Managing Editor
Rayne Acadian-Tribune