Sign unveiled for Cpl. Matthew Richard Highway

Along the winding curves of the Iota Highway, south of Iota’s town limits, family, friends, local dignitaries, police officers and more gathered around a flag pole Tuesday afternoon.
The local scout troop presented the flag and hoisted up and offered up the Pledge of Allegiance and blessings were bestowed all before a white sheet unveiled a new, large sign that will mark a stretch of that highway’s new name: Corporal Matthew Thomas Richard Memorial Highway.
Richard grew up in the Iota area, was a student at Iota High before graduating and enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. In June 2011, Richard was killed in action in Afghanistan.
Since then, the area has rallied around the Richard family and the family, in turn, has turned itself back into the community, creating scholarships and a memorial 5K run.
It is probably no surprise then that a local Eagle Scout, Colin Steen, began work to officially honor Richard forever.
Steen, 13, wrote Rep. Jack Montoucet, D-Crowley, and Montoucet, in turn, authored legislation this past session to designate a stretch of Louisiana Highway 91, also known as Iota Highway, in honor of Richard.
In his letter, Steen reflected on how touched he was as a member of the Boy Scouts, along with the Cub Scouts, that lined the highway and saluted Richard’s funeral procession as it passed.
“That day I told my dad that was the best thing I had ever done,” he wrote.
Montoucet was touched by the letter and authored the legislation. So, Tuesday, when the portion of the highway officially became Corporal Matthew Thomas Richard Memorial Highway and the sign was unveiled at the home of Jeff and Alicia Richard – parents of Matthew Richard – it only made since that Montoucet, a former Marine, was complimentary of Steen and servicemen and women.
“We often forget freedom has a cost, and some pay the ultimate price,” said Montoucet. “Too often it is our young people that pay that price.”
He added his hopes that those who traveled the road and saw the sign were not only reminded of Richard but would say a prayer for him, his family and remember all who serve the U.S.