BOSSIER CITY, La. — Family members gathered at VFW Post 4588 Wednesday morning to celebrate the late Louis Vernon Landry, a former Army captain and longtime Bossier physician who was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
An Army colonel flew in to present the medal to Landry's children, while family members traveled into town to ensure their grandfather was honored. Local officials and World War II veterans were also on hand for the event.
State Rep. Raymond Crews presented several proclamations to the family, and the Bossier City mayor officially proclaimed the day as Dr. L.V. Landry Day in Bossier City. Representatives from the governor and Congressman Mike Johnson were also in attendance.
The presentation marked the first time the medal was formally awarded since Landry's service in World War II.
"It was important because it had never been formally presented," said Larry Landry, son of Capt. Louis Landry. "And, the local VFW was a great help and say, yes, we want to do that. So we worked with them. And again, it just kind of grew from a small seed to a big tree."