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New Iberia veterans reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day

Posted at 9:23 PM, May 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-27 23:13:25-04

Veterans in New Iberia are reminding the community of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

The sights and sounds of patriotism filled New Iberia’s downtown Monday evening. The goal, to remember and honor the ones who never came back home.

“It’s a memorial day for them. Not so much for us to have barbecues, drink beer, sit underneath a pecan tree and whatever else,” Benny Schovajsa with the Iberia Veterans Association said.

“It’s all part of showing respect to them for what they’ve done. It shows them that we still care for them and miss them as well as they do.”

Among those in attendance, veteran Richard Raymond and his two grand-daughters.

Raymond says he wants the younger generations to understand the true cost of freedom

“I try to encourage them as much as I can,” Raymond said. “Every time they have ceremonies when we pass downtown they be looking to see if there’s a sign that says anything coming up like Memorial Day or Veterans Day and they’re always there with me all the time. ”

Raymond has an army truck that he let his two granddaughters decorate. The girls have learned the importance of honoring and respecting those who gave the ultimate sacrifice through their grandfather.

“Once you hear what happened and what the people did for us, you really understand that people lost their lives to support our country, “Calie Wynne said.