Caddo Parish honors veterans with grand parade celebration

During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on honoring veterans and maintaining the cleanliness of Caddo Parish. A key highlight was the upcoming Veterans Celebration Committee event, which will feature the largest veterans honor ceremony and parade in Louisiana's history. Scheduled for November 9 at the municipal auditorium, the ceremony will include Colonel Charlton McGintley, the new Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, as the honored speaker. The parade will take place on November 12 at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds, with 104-year-old Sam Maddox serving as the grand marshal.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of recognizing military honors, specifically differentiating between the Congressional Medal of Honor, awarded for extraordinary military service, and the Congressional Gold Medal of Freedom, which honors civilian contributions. The speaker highlighted Caddo Parish's historical connection to the Medal of Honor, recalling the 2002 convention held in Shreveport, which brought together living Medal of Honor recipients.

In addition to veteran recognition, the need for a clean and appealing environment in Caddo Parish was addressed. Concerns were raised about litter and its impact on attracting potential investors and visitors. The speaker urged community members to take responsibility for keeping the area clean, noting that appearances can significantly influence business opportunities.

Overall, the meeting underscored Caddo Parish's commitment to honoring its veterans while also fostering a welcoming and clean community environment.