KEITHVILLE, La. - The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs hosted its annual Keithville Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.
The public event is designed to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
This year’s featured speaker was retired Lieutenant Commander Raymond Alley of the United States Navy. The ceremony included the presentation of colors, a wreath-laying ceremony, and the playing of Taps in remembrance of fallen service members.
"We've got service members that are interred at these hollow grounds all the way back to World War Two, which is our greatest generation," said Lee Jeter, president of the NWLA Veterans Cemetery Foundation Board. "And we want to continue to honor and respect all of those that have served and not only them, but the sacrifices they made, but also the sacrifice made by their family."
In addition to the memorial observance, cemetery officials partnered with LifeShare Blood Center to host an on-site community blood drive. Organizers say the effort comes as local blood supplies remain critically low.