November 2018

Worth the Sacrifice

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His is a story of sacrifice and hard work, a life dedicated to becoming a U.S. citizen so that he might enjoy the American Dream.

U.S. Army E7 Sgt. First Class Jaroslav “Jerry” Vodicka, 81, was born in the tiny village of Harusky Kajsa, now Luzinaky, Czechoslovakia. In 1938 when Vodicka was only a year old, Adolf Hitler’s German army occupied Czechoslovakia. Vodicka’s father went to the Ukraine and joined an anti-Nazi partisan army. It was not until 1945 that Vodicka saw his father again.

‘Tough as nails with a heart of gold’

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Even after experiencing combat in Vietnam, Walter Gary of Jennings worked to keep his head up and his life moving forward. He was born April 26, 1947, to Wallace and

Istres celebrate 50 years of marriage

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Mr. and Mrs. Mickey (Linda Doyle) Istre of Jennings celebrated 50 years of marriage Sept. 8, 2018, surrounded by family and friends with a dinner at Chef Roy’s in Rayne.

Mickey and Linda were married Sept.14, 1968 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arthur. The couple now has three children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Hosts for the event were the couple’s children and their spouses, Mr. and Mrs. Diondi (Trista) Lessard of Carencro, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin (Mandy) Bihm of Thornwell, and Mr. and Mrs. Doyle (Leah) Istre of Lafayette.

Handmade With Love

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Girl Scout Troop 072 and First United Methodist Church, both of Welsh, worked together to create dolls handmade by church members and Girl Scouts. Dolls were donated to the Welsh police and fire departments to be given out to any children the officers encounter who might need a bit of comfort. Pictured here (back row from left) Officer Andy Vernel, Shirley Hudson, Faith Wold, Stephanie Granger, Joann Benoit, Kristi Davidson and Officer Laura Janise. Front row includes Emma LeBlanc, Hazlee Beyeaux, Lily Davidson, Carly Davidson, Kortney Granger, Emily Davidson, and Hailey Davidson.

Order of St. Lazarus gives to SLVH

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Members of the Order of St.Lazarus of Jerusalem,Grand Priory of America - Imperial Calcasieu Delegation presented a check for $1,000 to Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home Oct. 31. Pictured (left to right) are Becky Hudson, Mary Sue Lyon, Nila Halloran, Matthew Duhon, John Halloran, Jean Thomas, Ella Dartez Williams and Paul Mathews. The delegation represents Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Lafayette and Vermilion parishes.

Bells of Peace

Anyone can join in on a nationwide moment of silence on Sunday to honor those veterans who sacrificed so much for the many freedoms we enjoy today.

The U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Washington National Cathedral recently launched a national “Bells of Peace” campaign.

The “Bells of Peace” campaign calls for a national bell tolling across the country at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, to mark the centennial of the end of World War I.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Honor veterans today

Dear Editor,

Black and blue Friday

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VILLAGE IDIOT

It seems people have forgotten the true meaning of our most profitable holiday: Black Friday.

Some people actually want companies to close on Black Friday to give their employees time off to spend with their friends and families, instead of working in a madhouse the day after Thanksgiving for the same pay they would get for working on a slow day in June.

Pirates ground game wears down Bulldogs 28-13

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KAPLAN - The No. 3 Kaplan Pirates rode a powerful ground game to a first-round victory over the No. 30 Jennings Bulldogs by a final of 28-13. With the win, the Pirates move on to face the winner of the Crowley and Sophie B. Wright contest Friday night. Jennings ends their season with a final record of 4-7 after an up-anddown season. The Pirates move to 8-3 overall with the win.

Hounds shut out WSM 49-0

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The Welsh Greyhounds took on the West St. Mary Wolfpack Friday in the Bi-District Round of the Class 2A playoffs. Both teams utilized the pass quite a bit in the first half, however, in the end, the Greyhounds easily cruised to a 49-0 victory.