Abbeville Boy Scout working to organize event to honor veterans

Those who have served this country will be receiving some well earned recognition thanks to the efforts of a local Boy Scout.
Emile Hebert, a Life Scout with Abbeville’s Troop 85, is working to put together “A Salute to Our Heroes.” The event is part of a service project that will help Hebert reach the level of Eagle Scout.
He presented his tentative plan Tuesday to the Abbeville City Council.
“I am working towards an Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank that one can earn in Boy Scouts,” Hebert told the council. “To earn it, I must plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project.
“The project I have come up with is an event, an appreciation day.”
Hebert said “A Salute to Heroes” is tentatively scheduled to take place on May 30, the weekend after Memorial Day. It will take place in front of the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum at the Chris Crusta Memorial Airport in Abbeville. The event will coincide with the museum’s hall of fame induction ceremony.
“This day would include several activities for
veterans and their families,” Hebert said. “We want to have booths set up to let veterans know what services are available to them.
“The general public will be invited, but it is especially open for veterans and their families.”
Hebert said he is working with representatives of the museum, including Mike and Crystal Mouton.
“We are still in the planning stages,” Hebert said Tuesday.
Hebert attended Tuesday’s meeting to request any help that the city can provide in making the event possible.
“The event would take place on the city’s property,” Hebert said.
The city council obliged the request. The council also voted to help sponsor the event.
“I want to thank Mr. Emile Hebert for coming tonight and making this presentation on behalf of our heroes, our veterans,” Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. said. “I hope that this is a huge success.
Councilman Wayne Landry agreed.
“I as a veteran,” he told Hebert, “I am 100 percent behind you.”
Councilman-at-Large Francis Plaisance said he is familiar with what Hebert has planned.
“He is doing an outstanding job,” Plaisance said. “He just presented a brief synopsis, but he is really doing a great, great job on this.”
Mayor Mark Piazza said he is pleased with the idea of what this event will do for the museum.
“I am really excited that y’all are doing this,” he said. “It will provide some extra events to bring more people out to the museum.”