LA VA Secretary asks Louisianians to pay respects to the fallen today

“Memorial Day can bring about a painful wave of emotion for a lot of people.  We have hundreds of Gold Star Families that have lost loved ones in combat, and we honor them not just today, but every day.”

Strickland says on Saturday morning hundreds of current and former military personnel planted 11,000 flags in front of the State Capitol, one for each serviceman or woman from Louisiana who died in the service. He says if you’re in the Baton Rouge area, you should stop by and pay respects.

“From the start of the Revolutionary War to this day, over 11,000 (have died), that’s half of a combat division.”

There will also be ceremonies taking place at all five veteran’s homes across the state and at all four state veteran’s cemeteries.

The Secretary, and Vietnam veteran says If you’re interested in honoring the fallen, but can’t make it to any of today’s ceremonies, there’s a few simple ways you can contribute.

“The Governor has issued a proclamation that all state flags will be lowered to half-mast to honor the fallen. You can lower your own flag, or you can just take a moment to pause and reflect on the sacrifice.”