By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / May 19, 1999

RESERVE – They came to mourn, to share, to comfort and be comforted.

Family members, friends, neighbors and other well-wishers gathered Sunday to pay tribute to those who died in the Mother’s Day 1999 bus accident in New Orleans.

“On that day, a portion of our lives stopped,” Parish President Arnold Labat observed, adding the accident demonstrated that “We, as humans, are not in control of our lives and destinies.”Labat’s voice broke slightly as he concluded his remarks. “I hope thisstarts the healing process,” he said.

The one-hour ecumenical memorial service featured brief remarks from several speakers, a combined choir performance and many, many prayers.

Twenty-two plaques stood on display on the East St. John High Schoolgymnasium stage, mute testimony to the impact the accident had on the LaPlace/Reserve community. Each plaque was given to family membersafter the service.

One plaque, the largest, listed everyone on the bus, including the survivors, and that plaque will be permanently displayed at the St. JohnParish Council on Aging center in LaPlace.

The Rev. Patrick Sanders of St. Peter Catholic Church in Reserve recalledmembers of his congregation who died in the accident. He posed thequestion – Where was God on Mother’s Day? Sanders said God was running that day – running to good Samaritans who helped after the accident, running to comfort families and friends and running to give everyone hope through the knowledge that not even death can separate their loved ones from the love of Christ.

The Rev. Neil Bernard of New Wine Christian Fellowship recalled thefuneral of Lazurus where Christ first wept, then resurrected his beloved friend to demonstrate that He is the resurrection and the life.

As family members arrived, they were swiftly grouped to front-section seats, away from the prying eyes of television cameras, all of which were held back at the rear of the auditorium.

The event opened with the St. John Sheriff’s Office color guard andincluded musical selections from the combined choirs of First Baptist Church of LaPlace, St. Joan of Arc Church, St. Peter’s Church, Greater NewPlymouth Rock Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Reserve, all under the direction of Danny Kean of St. Joan of Arc.Lynda Imes, municipal liaison for Gov. Foster, offered the governor’swords of comfort and sympathy.

Juvenile Court Judge C. Hearn Taylor, president of the City ParkCommission, promised a memorial to the accident victims will be erected at the park.

The Rev. Robert Vincent of St. Joan of Arc Church read out the names ofthe fallen like tolls from a funeral bells as audience members reflected on their lives.

The Rev. Major Speights of First Baptist Church of LaPlace offered theinvocation, and the Rev. Dennis Kirkpatrick of LaPlace Church of Christoffered the benediction.

The service was jointly organized by the St. John Clergy Alliance, St. JohnParish Council, St. John Parish President’s Office with the EconomicDevelopment and Public Safety personnel, St. John Council on Aging, St.John Sheriff’s Office, Place Du Bourg, American Red Cross, St. John SchoolBoard and St. John fire departments.Assistance was also rendered by Freeman Decorating, Hymel’s Florist, Chateau De Fleur, Joy’s Florist, Expressions in Flowers, Roussel’s Garden Express, Mother Nature Garden Center, Unique Designs by Bev, Tri-Parish Trophies and Tri-Parish Office Supply.

After the service, most family members quietly departed and expressed their gratitude for the service.

“It was very well done,” commented Denise Hughes, niece of Lorina Rogers of LaPlace.

“It brought the community all together,” added H. David Millet, speakingfor the Marse family of Reserve. “They have friends everywhere.”

Return To News Stories