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Fallen soldiers remembered at Port Hudson Cemetery

7 years 9 months 2 weeks ago Monday, May 30 2016 May 30, 2016 May 30, 2016 7:00 PM May 30, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ
By: Earl Phelps

 BATON ROUGE- It was an emotional day for the more than 300 people who came out to the Memorial Day ceremony at Port Hudson Cemetery for fallen soldiers.

Guest speaker, Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Joey Strickland, reminded attendees of the cost of war.

"Seven troops just this year with Louisiana ties have died in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Strickland said.

More than 15,000 veterans and their spouses are buried at the Port Hudson National Cemetery.

The American Legion Post who hosts on the annual ceremony wants to make sure those soldiers are remembered.

Post commander Robert Hampton said that freedom has come with a cost.

"A lot of people say freedom is free. You look around this cemetery here, you see all them head stones. People paid for our freedom and we need to recognize that,” Hampton said.

For 89-year old Gerald Campell, a WWII veteran, Memorial Day should serve as a reminder about the price of war, the lives lost and blood spilled.

"It should always be in the minds and be passed down to generation to generation so people can continue say never again should this ever happen," Campell said.

And there's an even deeper meaning for Albert Henry.

He served in Vietnam for only one year, but received three purple hearts after being wounded three times.

He says Memorial Day is not a day for celebrating.

"Today is the day of mourning, not barbecuing and drank. You come out and show your love for your loved ones. You miss them. It's brings tears to your eyes when they start playing the trumpet, the 21-gun salute,” Henry said.

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