Veterans’ Memorial Dedicated by Leadership Livingston Class

June 11, 2018
 
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact: April Wehrs, 225-665-8155 | april@livingstonparishchamber.org
 
Veterans’ Memorial Dedicated by Leadership Livingston Class.
 
A monument honoring veterans from Livingston Parish who gave the ultimate sacrifice was dedicated on June 5 by the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Livingston group, Honor Our Fallen.
 
At the commemoration of the monument’s move remarks were heard from councilman and veteran, Tracy Girlinghouse, Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, April Wehrs, Honor Our Fallen co-leader, Jack Varnado and Parish President, Layton Ricks. “We are so blessed to live in a country where we can display the monuments that mean so much to us, and it’s thanks to the people named on this wall and all the other men and women who have served and their families that that is true,“  said Ricks.
 
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7017, including Tommy Shaffett, Carl Karnish, Jr., Robert Nolan and Vance Sutton posted colors for the dedication.
 
The group, consisting of Jessie Stewart, Caleb Coats, Ann Gomez, Brooke Sandlin, Adam Avery, Richard Magee and Jack Varnado were inspired to bring the monument, built in 1982, into the public eye when they realized the Courthouse Committee had planned to move the 3-ton piece to the new courthouse in Livingston. “Our group really wanted a tangible and lasting way to honor individuals from our parish who really made a difference, and the timing was right for this move,” said Varnado.
 
April Wehrs said, “We are very committed to Veterans businesses and programming. When this project submission came in we were excited for the opportunity to bring attention to our Parish’s veterans. I applaud this group for choosing such a meaningful project.”
 
Honor Our Fallen Leadership group acknowledged the partnerships that moved the project forward including Labarre Associates, Seale Funeral Home, Angelle Concrete, the Livingston Department of Public Works, the Livingston Parish Facilities Department, the Livingston Parish Courthouse Committee, Parish President Layton Ricks, Sheriff Jason Ard, Clerk of Court Tommy Sullivan, District Attorney Scott Perilloux and Judge Robert Morrison. “Everyone who is a contributor or member, a part of a chamber, this is what you are making happen,” said Wehrs.
 
Leadership Livingston is a program of the Chamber of Commerce. Over the years Leadership groups have also built a helipad in Killian, provided shoes for children in need, helped raise funds to build the Challengers baseball field in Walker.
 
Over 30 Leadership Livingston Alumni and current class members were in attendance. Chamber President April Wehrs said the involvement of Leadership Livingston Alumni has helped the program flourish and impact the community.
 
Applications for Leadership Livingston 2019 class are now being accepted and the 2018 class graduation will be held on June 19 at the Suma Hall and Community Center.
 
About the Chamber: The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce is the largest and longest standing business organization in Livingston Parish.  We represent the business community and coordinate community initiatives and programs which make Livingston Parish better. The chamber is 501C6 nonprofit association serving Livingston Parish and each of its municipalities and communities.
 
For more information contact April Wehrs, 225-665-8155 | april@livingstonparishchamber.org