ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / July 1, 2000

RESERVE – Monday night promises to be an colorful and emotional affair in St. John Parish. For the first time there will be a parish-sponsored celebration of Independence Day.

“I think something like this will really bring the community together,” said Parish President Nickie Monica.

Starting at 7 p.m, parish residents are invited to go out to the levee inReserve and Edgard to participate in a ceremony honoring the veterans of the armed forces and then watch a spectacular fireworks display out over the river.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” said Aldon Clement, a 77-year old veteran of the North Africa campaign in World War II. “We should have had thisyears ago.” Clement is a member of the Reserve Veterans of Foreign WarsPost 5004.

The ceremony in front of St. Peter’s Church in Reserve will begin at 8:30p.m. St. John Parish Councilman and Korean War veteran Allen St. Pierre,representing VFW Post 6187 of Garyville, will start things off with the presentation of colors and the pledge of allegiance.

After the invocation by the Rev. Pat Sanders and a welcome address fromMonica, there will be several readings by various veterans from St. JohnParish.

David Gatt, who served in Korea in the 60’s and representing American Legion Post 383 and VFW Post 3337 in LaPlace, will read the poems “I Am the Flag” and “In Flanders Field.” Emile Hotard, representing VFW Post 5004 in Reserve, will read the poem “Price of Freedom,” followed by a memorial to all fallen veterans led by David Beadle, who will be representing the Reserve American Legion Post 159.

After the benediction Richard Oubre of Reserve American Legion Post 159 will lead everybody in a chorus of “God Bless America.”The fireworks display will begin promptly after that and last for 20 minutes.

The fireworks will be launched from a barge in the river about 600 feet upriver from St. Peter’s Church. Residents on the west bank can watch thedisplay from the levee in front of the Edgard Courthouse.

The fireworks barge had to be moved because of a freighter that will be unloading at the South Louisiana Port Commission dock for the next week.

After some negotiations with the port, Monica reported they would have to move the barge upriver, but he said it won’t spoil the fireworks display.

“Most of the rockets will explode 600 feet up in the air,” explained Monica, “so everybody will be able to see everything.””The show will go on,” Monica assured everyone.

Even though this is a parish production, some of the cost was picked up by the LaPlace American Legion Post 383 which donated $1,000 for the display.

Julia Remondet, director of Economic Development for St. John Parish andthe organizer of Monday’s ceremony, said, “The veterans were very excited that we were doing something for them, and we really appreciate all their help.”St. Pierre was so excited about the ceremony he put off his vacation tripto Florida for a couple of days so he could participate in Monday night’s ceremony.

“This is something the community needs,” said St. Pierre. “We need torecognize the veterans and the men who gave their lives for our country.”

Return To News Stories