New Orleans Military Families Peacefully Protest War And Honor Country's Fallen Soldiers
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans military families are spending this Memorial Day honoring the troops overseas and the country's fallen heroes. As "Taps" is played, Al Bernard can't stop thinking about his 34-year old
staff sergeant son serving a third deployment to Iraq.
"He is in Balan, and the base he is in is called 'Mortarville' because they are attacked by mortars everyday," says Bernard.
Near the edge of the Mississippi River by Jackson Square, military
family members and supporters gathered for some singing and prayers in
a ceremony honoring those who have served and died in combat. It's all
a part of a service led by the group "Military Families Speak Out" with
a membership of four thousand families nationwide.
One by one, those who attended dropped carnations into the river to
honor those the country lost to combat. Arthur Joseph was seven when he
lost his veteran father.
"One day he told me, take care of your mother, and two days later, my
father fell dead on April 1,1969. He was in the service for four to six
years to my rememberance, he served this country," says Joseph. Just
like other military families that have come out to support the troops,
Al Bernard is fighting to protect the rights and needs of his military
son and the comrades who serve with him.
"I hope we appreciate the sacriffices these men and women are doing and
show them the honor and respect and care that they need," says Bernard.
Copyright © 2008, WGNO