Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

11/10/2026

💜 A promise made, a promise kept: Paradise Elementary is officially a Purple Star School!

This summer, Mrs. Amy Thomson asked Secretary Charlton J. Meginley to speak at Paradise Elementary's Veterans Day program. He said yes, with one favor in return: work to make Paradise the first Purple Star School in Rapides Parish. Sitting just outside the gates of Camp Beauregard, it was the perfect fit.

A few months later, they did it! 🎉 The Purple Star designation honors schools for their commitment to military students and families, and on Monday the Secretary was proud to keep his end of the deal as guest speaker at the celebration with local veterans and families.

"I know the difficulties that these kids oftentimes have when they're moving from school to school," Secretary Meginley said. "When I see a school that takes the initiative of becoming a Purple Star school, that tells me they are truly committed to our military families and that they are in many ways taking care of our force." Paradise has "programs to make sure the kids feel wanted and welcomed at the school," Secretary Meginley said. "That they feel part of the community instantly."

Thank you to Amy Thomson, Principal Sherith Dardar and the entire Paradise Elementary staff for taking care of our military kids! 🇺🇸

📺 Thank you to KALB for sharing this story. https://bit.ly/4kCr4oY

11/10/2026

🦅🇺🇸 HAPPY 251st BIRTHDAY, U.S. MARINE CORPS! 🎂🎖️

November 10, 1775. A tavern in Philadelphia. A handful of volunteers who raised their hands. 💥

251 years later, the Few. The Proud. The Marines. are still first to answer the call and still Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. 🫡

To every Marine in Louisiana, from the Marine who just earned the title to the veteran who earned it decades ago: once a Marine, always a Marine. Oorah! 💪

👇 Tag a Marine who deserves a birthday shout-out and drop a 🦅 in the comments!

Louisiana is home to approximately 250,000 veterans, and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is honored to serve every one of them.
📲 vetaffairs.la.gov

11/10/2026

LDVA IN THE COMMUNITY | Veterans Day Weekend Recap #2

The LDVA team spent this past weekend out in communities across Louisiana honoring those who served. Here’s a look at some of the moments! 🇺🇸

🇺🇸 EAST FELICIANA PARISH VETERANS DAY CEREMONY
SAT, NOV. 7 | Veterans Park, Jackson
The ceremony honored our nation’s heroes with a wreath-laying and featured guest speaker John Phillips, LDVA Undersecretary. LDVA Assistant Secretary of Outreach Larry Williams was there and thanked everyone who helped put it together, along with the local businesses of East Feliciana Parish. Their door prizes and donations helped make the day a success.

🎙️ CLINTON IS HOME’S 2ND ANNUAL MEET THE VETERANS
SAT, NOV. 7 | Clinton
Just up Highway 10, veterans were honored and interviewed about their military service. Thank you to H Mercantile for hosting this special event!

🎺 TENTH ANNUAL NEW ORLEANS VETERANS’ DAY PARADE
SAT, NOV. 7 | Harrison Avenue, New Orleans
The parade saluted Lance Corporal Marcel Farnet Jr., USMC (Retired). Participants included Aimee McCarron, New Orleans Councilmember for District A, and Stephanie Hilferty, State Representative for District 94. LDVA was represented by Southeast Regional Manager Terrance Scott and Andrea Schembre of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home.

🥞 VETERANS DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST
SAT, NOV. 7 | The Grand Church, Kinder
Eric Kuyper- Commissioner, Louisiana Dept Veterans Affairs works hard all year long to get this event set up, he did a fantastic job again this year. Winners of the VFW Patriot’s Pen youth essay competition for grades 6 to 8 were announced at the breakfast. The competition is sponsored locally through the VFW Department of Louisiana. LDVA Allen Parish Veterans Assistance Counselor Michael Jorden was in attendance.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 1-141 FA BN FAMILY DAY
SUN, NOV. 8 | 6400 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans
Hosted by the Military & Family Readiness Program of the Louisiana Army National Guard. LDVA Veterans Assistance Counselor Rene Martin (Orleans Parish) and Andrea Schembre of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home were on hand to support our military families.

Thank you to everyone who showed up for our veterans! Know a veteran who deserves a shout-out? Tag them below and share this post so we can say thank you together!

11/10/2026

11/09/2026

WHAT’S COMING UP AROUND LOUISIANA | Nov. 10 - 20

Veterans Day week is here, and communities across Louisiana are showing up for the men and women who served. Find an event near you, region by region!

NORTHWEST LOUISIANA

🇺🇸 Bossier Parish Tattoo
TUE, NOV. 10 | 10:00 AM | The Billy Wayne Montgomery Gymnasium, Bossier Parish

🍽️ Veterans Day Appreciation Luncheon
TUE, NOV. 10 | 11:00 AM | Grambling City Hall, 127 King Street, Grambling

🇺🇸 Arcadia-Bienville NAACP Unit 61 Annual Veterans Day Program
WED, NOV. 11 | 11:00 AM | Eugene Smith Events Center, 630 Factory Outlet Dr., Arcadia

🇺🇸 LSUS Veterans Day Celebration
WED, NOV. 11 | 11:00 AM | LSUS, 1 University Pl., Shreveport

🎬 Free Movie Night: 1917 (LSUS Veterans Resource Center)
WED, NOV. 11 | 7:00 PM | Robinson Film Center, Downtown Shreveport
Free admission. Scan the QR code on the flyer to RSVP.

🎖️ SHV-VCC Veterans Honor Ceremony
FRI, NOV. 13 | 5:00 PM | LIVE! Casino Event Center, 711 Live Casino Blvd., Bossier City

🔬 SciPort Military Appreciation Day
SAT, NOV. 14 | Time TBA | SciPort, Shreveport

🇺🇸 Shreveport Veterans Parade
SUN, NOV. 15 | 2:00 PM | State Fairgrounds, Shreveport

🦁 Bossier Lions Club Guest Speaker
THU, NOV. 19 | 11:30 AM | 716 Bearkat Dr., Bossier City

NORTHEAST LOUISIANA

🌸 Septetime Ladies Society Monthly Meeting (Speaker: John R. Bennett II)
TUE, NOV. 10 | 11:00 AM | Logan’s Steakhouse, West Monroe

✈️ Chennault Museum Veterans Day Program
WED, NOV. 11 | 4:00 PM | Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, 701 Kansas Ln, Monroe

💙 Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home Alzheimer’s Fun Day
FRI, NOV. 13 | 10:00 AM | Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home, Monroe

CENTRAL LOUISIANA

🇺🇸 Veterans Day Program at Rapides High
TUE, NOV. 10 | 9:00 AM | Rapides High Auditorium

💛 National Family Caregiver Month Celebration
WED, NOV. 18 | 10:00 AM | Alexandria VA
Stop by the LDVA table!

CAPITAL REGION

🥞 Mayor’s Veterans Day Breakfast
TUE, NOV. 10 | 8:30 AM | Baton Rouge Main Library

🇺🇸 City of Central Veterans Day Ceremony
TUE, NOV. 10 | 6:00 PM reception, 6:30 PM ceremony | Central Intermediate School Cafetorium, 11526 Sullivan Road, Central

🥞 Veterans Day Breakfast
WED, NOV. 11 | 8:30 AM | Brusly Town Hall, 601 S. Vaughan Dr., Brusly

🇺🇸 St. Amant Middle School Veterans Day Ceremony
WED, NOV. 11 | 8:45 - 10:00 AM (seating begins 8:25 AM) | St. Amant Middle School, St. Amant

🍽️ American Legion Post 58 Veterans Appreciation Luncheon
WED, NOV. 11 | 10:00 AM | LOD Cook Alumni Center, LSU Campus

🇺🇸 Iberville Salute to Veterans Ceremony
WED, NOV. 11 | 10:00 AM (entertainment begins 9:30 AM) | (Secretary Charlton J. Meginley Speaker) Iberville Veterans Memorial

🎖️ Redstick Veterans Week: Veterans’ Celebration
WED, NOV. 11 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Southern University’s F.G. Clark Activity Center, Baton Rouge
More information on Eventbrite.

🇺🇸 Ascension Parish Veterans Day Ceremony
WED, NOV. 11 | 11:00 AM | Ascension Parish Veterans Memorial Park, 612 S. Irma Blvd., Gonzales

🇺🇸 Livingston Veterans Day Ceremony
WED, NOV. 11 | 11:00 AM | Patriot Recreational Vehicle Center, Satsuma

🎤 The Mission Continues: Beyond the Uniform
THU, NOV. 12 | 12:00 PM | Donald C. Wade House, Southern University Campus, 155 Leon Netterville Drive, Baton Rouge
A panel on leadership, mental health, education, career transition and community reintegration.

🤝 Redstick Veterans Week: “Smoke-Em, If You Got’Em”
THU, NOV. 12 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM | Don Juan’s Cigar Bar, 7539 Corporate Blvd., Unit 160, Baton Rouge
More information on Eventbrite.

🇺🇸 Vietnam Traveling Wall and Veterans Day Parade Opening Ceremonies
FRI, NOV. 13 | 7:30 AM | Zachary High School

🎺 Zachary’s Salute to Veterans Day Parade
FRI, NOV. 13 | Time TBA | Zachary High School to the Bank of Zachary, Zachary
Stop by the LDVA table!

🎷 Redstick Veterans Week: Military & Veterans’ Appreciation Day Jazz & Gospel Brunch
SAT, NOV. 14 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Tony Clayton Plaza, A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge
More information on Eventbrite.

🏈 LSU Corps of Cadets Veteran Recognition: Col. (Ret.) Paul Lips (vs. Texas)
SAT, NOV. 14 | Time TBA | Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge

⚖️ LSU Veterans Legal Clinic
WED, NOV. 18 | 1:50 PM | LSU Law School, Baton Rouge

🏛️ Veteran Organizations: You’re Invited (BRBA Veterans Committee)
THU, NOV. 19 | 4:00 PM | The Old State Capitol (“The Castle”), Baton Rouge

SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

🇺🇸 Jefferson Parish Veterans Day Ceremony
TUE, NOV. 10 | 10:00 AM | Veterans Memorial Square, Jefferson Parish
Streaming live on JPTV and the Jefferson Parish page.

🇺🇸 Veterans Day Celebration
TUE, NOV. 10 | 11:00 AM | Delgado Community College City Park Campus, New Orleans

🇺🇸 Veterans Day at Solomon
WED, NOV. 11 | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Solomon Center, 54296 Hwy 445, Loranger

🇺🇸 Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony
WED, NOV. 11 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | The National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans

🇺🇸 Veterans Day Program
WED, NOV. 11 | 11:00 AM | LSU New Orleans

✨ Veterans Day Illumination of Chalmette Battlefield
WED, NOV. 11 | 5:30 PM (park gates open) | Chalmette Battlefield, Chalmette

✈️ Meta Honor Flight Welcome Home (Blind Veterans)
WED, NOV. 11 | 9:30 PM | New Orleans International Airport (MSY), at the gate

⚖️ Tulane Law CLE
THU - FRI, NOV. 12 - 13 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | New Orleans

🌉 LCpl Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge Naming Ceremony
FRI, NOV. 13 | 10:00 AM | Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington

🎶 We Belong Here Music Festival (Inaugural)
FRI - SUN, NOV. 13 - 15 | 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM | New Orleans

🎩 Victory Ball
FRI, NOV. 13 | 6:00 PM | The National WWII Museum, New Orleans
Cocktail attire required. 1940s-inspired ensembles encouraged!

🎉 Family and Military Appreciation Block Party
SAT, NOV. 14 | 9:00 AM | WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans

🎉 Salute to Veterans Block Party (American Legion Post 374)
SAT, NOV. 14 | 3:00 PM | Behind Post 374, 2233 Carey St., Slidell

🏈 Southeastern Lions Football Veterans Game vs. McNeese State
SAT, NOV. 14 | 6:00 PM | Southeastern Lions, Hammond

🚁 Vets to Drones 2nd Annual Awards Gala
SAT, NOV. 14 | 6:30 PM | The Louisiana Pavilion, The National WWII Museum, New Orleans
Stop by the LDVA table!

🌹 American Legion Auxiliary National President Visit
MON, NOV. 16 | Wreath laying at 10:00 AM, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 34888 Grantham College Dr., Slidell | Luncheon 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Bayou Liberty American Legion Auxiliary Unit 374, 2233 Carey St., Slidell

⚓ Commissioning of USCGC Marvin Perrett
THU, NOV. 19 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Julia Street Cruise Terminal, New Orleans

🇺🇸 RWC Jefferson Parish November Meeting to Honor Veterans
THU, NOV. 19 | 10:30 AM | Chateau Golf & Country Club, Jefferson Parish

⚓ Navy League Annual Membership Dinner
THU, NOV. 19 | 6:00 - 9:00 PM | New Orleans Country Club

☕ Reveille - Slidell
FRI, NOV. 20 | 8:00 AM | Saint August Maison, 153 Robert Street, Slidell

🚢 2026 Port of New Orleans State of the Port
FRI, NOV. 20 | 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM | InterContinental Hotel, 444 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

🇺🇸 AVA Veterans Day Event (Acadiana Veteran Alliance)
WED, NOV. 11 | 9:00 AM | Moncus Park, Veterans Memorial Area, Lafayette

🎩 Hats Off to Veterans Luncheon
WED, NOV. 11 | 11:30 AM | Yambilee Building, Opelousas

🎖️ UL Lafayette Honor Medal Presentation
WED, NOV. 11 | Time TBA | University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette

Know a veteran who would love to be there? Tag them below and share this post so no one misses out!

11/09/2026

🇺🇸 In Memory of Hilmer “Paul” Hermann Jr.

On Friday, Nov. 6, the LDVA family gathered in New Orleans to pay our respects to Paul Hermann, a U.S. Air Force veteran, Department Adjutant and Past Department Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and a Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

Representing LDVA at his memorial service were Secretary Charlton Meginley, Deputy Secretary Dr. Jerome Buller, Kate Seba, Confidential Assistant to the Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff, Assistant Secretary of Memorial Affairs Ted Krumm, DAV Member and VAC, Pam Russell, along with Communications Director Daniele P***n.

The Governor issued a proclamation honoring Commissioner Hermann’s life and service. Secretary Meginley presented it to his wife, along with a flag flown over the State Capitol.

Commissioner Hermann’s dedication to Louisiana’s veterans will be remembered. Our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends. 🕊️

11/09/2026

🇺🇸 All LDVA offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 in observance of Veterans Day.

Today and every day, we honor the men and women who served our nation. Thank you, veterans! 💙

Looking for a Veterans Day event near you? Visit vetaffairs.la.gov/events.

11/08/2026

WHAT A WEEKEND! And it isn’t over yet. 🇺🇸

We traveled the state over the past two days, and the weather could not have been more beautiful for celebrating our veterans. Here is a first look, with so much more to share once the pictures come in!

FRIDAY, NOV. 6

🔹 Ruston Veterans Day Event, Ruston Sports Complex
Northeast Regional Manager Daniel Mabry, Lincoln Parish Veterans Assistance Counselor Sarah Thomas, LaVetCorps Navigator Virginia Scott of Grambling State University and Dwayne Stein of Louisiana Tech joined more than 500 guests including the oldest known veteran in the Unites States, Louisiana's own Sam Mattox (107). The Victory Belles from The National WWII Museum and local students provided the entertainment.

🔹 Salute and Share and Veterans Month Announcement, Rhorer Plaza, Baton Rouge
Undersecretary John Phillips, Commissioner Elena Paulina Branzaru, Tara Jones, Miracle Renee Williams and Catrina Madison Smith represented LDVA at a celebration featuring a veteran jazz band and a second line.

🔹 Marine Corps Ball, Superdome, New Orleans
Secretary Charlton J. Meginley and Commissioner Bobbie Ragsdale represented LDVA at this special evening honoring our Marines.

SATURDAY, NOV. 7

🔹 Mandeville Veterans Parade, Lakeshore Drive
Secretary Meginley was honored to ride in the parade while Deputy Secretary Dr. Jerome Buller and Gerard Naquin joined the celebration. Thank you to NextOp Veterans and St. Tammany Parish for inviting us to be part of this wonderful event.

🔹 Fort Pike USA 250 Festival and Car Show, Fort Pike State Park
Veterans Assistance Counselor Patrick Duhe’ represented LDVA at our table.

🔹 VetFest 2026, East Bank Plaza, Bossier City
Northwest Regional Manager Norman Bruce Jr., Brandi Franklin and Earnest Buckner Jr represented LDVA as veterans and families gathered for a full day of celebration.

Stay tuned for more photos and stories from across Louisiana as we continue to honor those who served!

11/06/2026

Louisiana Veterans Day events are in full swing! 🇺🇸

Our team has been out across the state this week, and here is a look at where we have been:

🔹 B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn Correctional Center, Angie
Secretary Charlton J. Meginley joined Tara Jones, our Incarcerated Veterans Liaison, for the Incarcerated Veterans Summit. Thank you to B.B. Rayburn Correctional Center for hosting us and for allowing the Secretary to speak at this important event.

🔹 NextOp Reception, New Orleans Culinary Institute
Secretary Meginley, Deputy Secretary Dr. Jerome Buller, and LDVA Commissioner Bobbie Ragsdale celebrated NextOp as a partner of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. Together, we are doing our part to put transitioning enlisted service members to work.

🔹 16th Annual Veterans and Gold Star Luncheon, Hammond
That morning, Southeast Regional Manager Terrance Scott, Confidential Assistant to the Secretary Miracle Renee Williams, and Veterans Assistance Counselors James Lee, Frank Rivas and Rene Martin attended the luncheon. There they met retired Army Sergeant First Class Will Ernest Davis, grand marshal of the Veterans Day parade. Over the weekend, Secretary Meginley presented him with the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal and a flag flown over the State Capitol, courtesy of Governor Jeff Landry.

🔹 Amite City Veterans Day Program, Buddy Bell Veterans Memorial Park, Tangipahoa
Dr. Buller and Undersecretary John Phillips joined Veterans Assistance Counselor James Lee to honor those who served.

🔹 St. Charles Parish Veterans Luncheon, Edward A. Dufresne Community Center
We were proud to join St. Charles Parish for its annual Veterans Day luncheon. VAC Ebony Crowell and Marketing Manager for Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home Andrea Schembre attended, and our team had a table set up for veterans and their families. The turnout was great!

Stay tuned for daily coverage of Louisiana Veterans Day events! 🎖️

11/05/2026

CLECO Customers Blanket Giveaway for Military Veterans tomorrow at Kees Park!