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Governor Bobby Jindal awarded the Louisiana Veterans’ Honor Medal to 210 Morehouse Parish veterans at the Bastrop Municipal Center Tuesday.
The governor was joined by Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Lane Carson and Major Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard.
“We’re really here for one very important reason,” said Jindal. “We’re here to say thank you to those brave men who chose to run toward danger, not away from it, so we can be safe.”
Jindal quoted President Ronald Reagan in his 1984 speech to veterans at Normandy on the 40th anniversary of D-Day:
‘You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One’s country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.’
“Our president was right,” said Jindal. “Fighting for something worth dying for is perhaps the most defining incident for shaping the character of man. As veterans, your love of country, your love of democracy and your love of liberty are truly inspiring.”
Jindal signed legislation in 2008 creating the Veterans’ Honor Medal Program, which is managed by the state Department of Veterans Affairs. He said one of his greatest honors as governor is to meet real heroes throughout the state.
“I’ve met men and women who have broken down and told me that nobody ever thanked them [for their service],” he said. “It is never too late to say thank you.”
The Louisiana Honor Medal is gold-plated with a blue ribbon. The back of the medal bears the inscription, “Louisiana appreciates your service to our country.”
Veterans who were wounded in battle receive a medal with a silver star and purple ribbon. Families of veterans who were killed in action receive a medal with a gold star and gold ribbon.
Jindal cited as an example of a Louisiana hero Allen Carl Brown of Bastrop.
Brown was born and raised in Kilbourne. After graduating from college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961 and was sent to Vietnam to serve as a combat helicopter pilot in 1966.
Brown was responsible for supporting U.S. troops on the ground by firing at enemy forces from his aircraft. While training for an important aerial rescue mission, engine failure forced him to make an emergency landing to save the men inside his helicopter. To this day he suffers from a back injury as a result of the dangerous descent -- but the men were able to conduct their rescue mission.
Governor Bobby Jindal awarded the Louisiana Veterans’ Honor Medal to 210 Morehouse Parish veterans at the Bastrop Municipal Center Tuesday.
The governor was joined by Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Lane Carson and Major Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard.
“We’re really here for one very important reason,” said Jindal. “We’re here to say thank you to those brave men who chose to run toward danger, not away from it, so we can be safe.”
Jindal quoted President Ronald Reagan in his 1984 speech to veterans at Normandy on the 40th anniversary of D-Day:
‘You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One’s country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.’
“Our president was right,” said Jindal. “Fighting for something worth dying for is perhaps the most defining incident for shaping the character of man. As veterans, your love of country, your love of democracy and your love of liberty are truly inspiring.”
Jindal signed legislation in 2008 creating the Veterans’ Honor Medal Program, which is managed by the state Department of Veterans Affairs. He said one of his greatest honors as governor is to meet real heroes throughout the state.
“I’ve met men and women who have broken down and told me that nobody ever thanked them [for their service],” he said. “It is never too late to say thank you.”
The Louisiana Honor Medal is gold-plated with a blue ribbon. The back of the medal bears the inscription, “Louisiana appreciates your service to our country.”
Veterans who were wounded in battle receive a medal with a silver star and purple ribbon. Families of veterans who were killed in action receive a medal with a gold star and gold ribbon.
Jindal cited as an example of a Louisiana hero Allen Carl Brown of Bastrop.
Brown was born and raised in Kilbourne. After graduating from college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961 and was sent to Vietnam to serve as a combat helicopter pilot in 1966.
Brown was responsible for supporting U.S. troops on the ground by firing at enemy forces from his aircraft. While training for an important aerial rescue mission, engine failure forced him to make an emergency landing to save the men inside his helicopter. To this day he suffers from a back injury as a result of the dangerous descent -- but the men were able to conduct their rescue mission.
Brown went on to participate in many combat missions and was continually under fire. He suffers hearing loss due to loud explosions in addition to the emergency helicopter landing.
For his heroic efforts, Brown received several awards, including the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnam Commendation Medal with numerous devices. He was honorably discharged in 1973 and served as a deputy with the Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office until retirement in 1988.
“Today we’re here to celebrate our heroes,” said Jindal. “You represent the greatest character and the living spirit of America. You are a living tribute to all who came before you and all who will come after you.
“I know that our greatest days as a state and as a country are ahead of us. If anyone doubts that, come to one of these ceremonies.”
