By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

RESERVE – Once again this year, the St. John the Baptist Parish Young Marines, with the help of local businesses such as Gold Eagle Security, Raisin’ Canes and this newspaper, helped make the holiday season a little brighter for residents of the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve.
Like last year, Raisin’ Canes donated a gift basket to be raffled off, and through the sale of raffle tickets and other donations, the Young Marines collected $900 to buy gifts for the veterans.
This year, the gifts included regular socks, diabetic socks, T-shirts, sweaters, blankets and canvasses, but just as important as the gifts they delivered was the time the Young Marines spent with the veterans last week when the presentation was made.
“Along with all the other things we teach the Young Marines, one of the things we stress is showing appreciation for our veterans,” said St. John Young Marine Unit Commander Brian Bertrand. “They were the ones that ensured our country stayed free.”