The Louisiana State Senate will host the 2009 Military Family Day to honor Louisiana’s Fallen Heroes today during the legislative session at the State Capitol.
By declaration of Senate Resolution 61, authored by Sen. Robert M. Marionneaux, Jr. (D-Grosse Tete), the Louisiana Senate will recognize and honor those Louisianians serving in the U.S. military who have sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedoms in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Since the 2005 Regular Session, Senator Marionneaux and the Louisiana Senate have honored 120 fallen soldiers. This year, resolutions honoring and remembering 13 fallen heroes will be introduced by Marionneaux during the legislative session and a balloon release will follow on the steps of the State Capitol.
The families of the fallen soldiers are invited to the Capitol to be a part of the program and balloon release. The Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana, the Louisiana Color Guard and Louisiana National Guard State Chaplain Walter J. Austin will also be included in the program.
Marionneaux said, “It is important to us in state government that we officially recognize and acknowledge these brave Louisianans and their families for the sacrifices made by them for our state and nation. We have not forgotten and will never forget our fallen heroes or the many brave men and women currently fighting for our freedom overseas.
“We are sensitive to the needs of our soldiers and will continue honoring them until every soldier comes home,” he continued. Marionneaux’s nephew, Mark J. Ward, is currently serving his second tour of duty in Baghdad and has been an inspiration for Marionneaux to start the Annual Military Family Day in the Senate.
Military guests are welcome to participate in the program during the legislative session on Tuesday, June 2, which will take place in the Senate Chamber starting at 1 p.m. and the balloon release which will follow on the steps of the state capitol.
The following soldiers will be recognized: United States Army Sergeant First Class David J. Todd, Jr., Air Force Captain Cartize B. Durham, Army Private First Class Bryan M. Thomas, Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Daniel Dupre, Patriot Guard Rider Michael D. Bares, Army Sergeant Jonnie L. Stiles, Army Private First Class Jason R. Watson, Army Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst, Army National Guard Specialist First Class Dane Grafton-Zimek, Army Private First Class Brandon Gallow, Air Force Senior Airman Omar McKnight, Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Milton E. Suggs, and Marine Private First Class Caleb Rushing.
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