MILITARY FAMILY DAY AT THE SENATE, 2015

Rev. Rodney Wood leads prayer for Military Family Day in the Louisiana State Senate. Photo by Senate Communication Office

Rev. Rodney Wood and Senate President John Alario  Photo by Senate Communications Office

On Tuesday, April 28th, it was my solemn privilege again this year to offer the prayer for the Louisiana Senate's annual Military Family Day as the fallen soldiers of Louisiana (who have died during the past year) and their families were honored in a very meaningful and extended ceremony.

LA National Guard Color Guard and Bagpiper from the Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig Ms. Angela Perry, secretary to the Clerk of the House of Representatives  sings the National Anthem.  Senate President John Alario stands beside her. The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig Senator Robert Adley reads the senate resolution for each soldier. Photo by Senate Communication Office The senators who represent each soldier's district stood beside Sen. Robert Adley (a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War) as he read the very personal words of remembrance and appreciation  given in the senate resolution for each soldier. Senator Jodie Amedee and Senator Adley with the family of a fallen soldier. The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig Senator Bob Kostelka and Senator Adley with family members. The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig Senators stand for a moment of silence after each soldier is remembered The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig After every soldier's resolution was read, the senators reverently filed forward to offer  kind words and warm gestures to every member of that soldier's family.   Senators and family members at the front of the chamber Photo by Senate Communication Office Senator Gerald Long comforts each family member. Photo by Senate Communication Office Senate Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Je Senate Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, whom I have been blessed to know since my early years at the Capitol, also served in Vietnam and was the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Military Honor Award from the Folds of Honor Foundation for his service to veterans and their families as well as for his own service in the U.S. Army.  Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, Distinguished Vietnam Veteran COORDINATOR OF MILITARY FAMILY DAY The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig On August 23, 1968, Mr. Jeffers was a member of the team that rescued three medical personnel who were badly wounded in attacks on Pleiku. Thank you for your service to our country, Heyward, and for your work on Military Family Day.  Friends, please take a moment to pray for the wives, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones of those who have died while serving in our military. I spoke with many of the family members before the ceremony. The burden of their sorrow is great. They need your prayers.  Your brother in the Savior, Rodney Senate Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, whom I have been blessed to know since my early years at the Capitol, also served in Vietnam and was the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Military Honor Award from the Folds of Honor Foundation for his service to veterans and their families as well as for his own service in the U.S. Army.  Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, Distinguished Vietnam Veteran COORDINATOR OF MILITARY FAMILY DAY The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig On August 23, 1968, Mr. Jeffers was a member of the team that rescued three medical personnel who were badly wounded in attacks on Pleiku. Thank you for your service to our country, Heyward, and for your work on Military Family Day.  Friends, please take a moment to pray for the wives, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones of those who have died while serving in our military. I spoke with many of the family members before the ceremony. The burden of their sorrow is great. They need your prayers.  Your brother in the Savior, Rodney Senate Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, whom I have been blessed to know since my early years at the Capitol, also served in Vietnam and was the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Military Honor Award from the Folds of Honor Foundation for his service to veterans and their families as well as for his own service in the U.S. Army.  Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, Distinguished Vietnam Veteran COORDINATOR OF MILITARY FAMILY DAY The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig On August 23, 1968, Mr. Jeffers was a member of the team that rescued three medical personnel who were badly wounded in attacks on Pleiku. Thank you for your service to our country, Heyward, and for your work on Military Family Day.  Friends, please take a moment to pray for the wives, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones of those who have died while serving in our military. I spoke with many of the family members before the ceremony. The burden of their sorrow is great. They need your prayers.  Your brother in the Savior, Rodney Senate Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, whom I have been blessed to know since my early years at the Capitol, also served in Vietnam and was the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Military Honor Award from the Folds of Honor Foundation for his service to veterans and their families as well as for his own service in the U.S. Army.  Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, Distinguished Vietnam Veteran COORDINATOR OF MILITARY FAMILY DAY The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig On August 23, 1968, Mr. Jeffers was a member of the team that rescued three medical personnel who were badly wounded in attacks on Pleiku. Thank you for your service to our country, Heyward, and for your work on Military Family Day.  Friends, please take a moment to pray for the wives, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones of those who have died while serving in our military. I spoke with many of the family members before the ceremony. The burden of their sorrow is great. They need your prayers.  Your brother in the Savior, Rodney Senate Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, whom I have been blessed to know since my early years at the Capitol, also served in Vietnam and was the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Military Honor Award from the Folds of Honor Foundation for his service to veterans and their families as well as for his own service in the U.S. Army.  Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, Distinguished Vietnam Veteran COORDINATOR OF MILITARY FAMILY DAY The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig On August 23, 1968, Mr. Jeffers was a member of the team that rescued three medical personnel who were badly wounded in attacks on Pleiku. Thank you for your service to our country, Heyward, and for your work on Military Family Day.  Friends, please take a moment to pray for the wives, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones of those who have died while serving in our military. I spoke with many of the family members before the ceremony. The burden of their sorrow is great. They need your prayers.  Your brother in the Savior, Rodney Senate Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, whom I have been blessed to know since my early years at the Capitol, also served in Vietnam and was the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Military Honor Award from the Folds of Honor Foundation for his service to veterans and their families as well as for his own service in the U.S. Army.  Senior Staff Attorney Heyward Jeffers, Distinguished Vietnam Veteran COORDINATOR OF MILITARY FAMILY DAY The Advocate Staff Photo by Bill Feig On August 23, 1968, Mr. Jeffers was a member of the team that rescued three medical personnel who were badly wounded in attacks on Pleiku. Thank you for your service to our country, Heyward, and for your work on Military Family Day.  Friends, please take a moment to pray for the wives, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones of those who have died while serving in our military. I spoke with many of the family members before the ceremony. The burden of their sorrow is great. They need your prayers.  Your brother in the Savior, Rodney