Marion honors veterans with Veterans Day ceremony

MARION, La. (KNOE) — The Town of Marion held a Veterans Day ceremony honoring the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

The event was co-sponsored by the city and the D’Arbonne Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The ceremony brought together veterans and community members to reflect on military service and the impact it has had on the country.

Marion Mayor Danny Smith said the freedoms and opportunities Americans enjoy today are made possible by those who dedicated their lives to serving.

“The time that they spent in their service is absolutely the reason why we have the privileges and freedoms and opportunities that we have now. So they gave, part of their lives in service. In other words, for us to have privileges,” Smith said.

Veteran and ceremony attendee Otis Persely said the sacrifices made by service members are difficult to fully understand without experiencing military service firsthand.

“The sacrifices that we made, if you haven’t done it, you don’t understand it. You have to go through it. like we did, then you’ll understand. Over here in America, man, we blessed. I’ve always said that. Go to the other countries and look. You’ll see. You’ll learn to appreciate your veterans,” Persely said.

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Oliver Towns delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by veterans and those who served before them.

“We should always remember that freedom is never free. The sacrifices that you and those before you made are why we remain a free nation,” Towns said.

During the ceremony, veterans in attendance also had an opportunity to stand and briefly share their military service.