Article Image Alt Text

Emile Hebert spent Wednesday hanging up posters for this Saturday's veterans event at the airport.

Abbeville teen has to deal with final exams, Eagle Scout project this weekend at airport

Emile Hebert of Abbeville is a bit stressed this week, more than your normal freshman in high school.
Hebert is a freshman at John Paul The Great Catholic School in Lafayette and is in the middle of final exams. If that was not stress enough for a 15-year old, try being in the final week of preparation for one of the biggest Eagle Scout Service Projects attempted in Vermilion Parish.
Hebert is a member of Boy Scout Troop 85 in Abbeville. For the last year as a Life Scout, Hebert began planning for an Eagle Scout service project.
He did not select building bird houses or painting road signs as his service project. Hebert went big.
He, with the help of parents, Marty and Ann Hebert, have planned an all day event called “A Salute To Our Heroes,” which is an event honoring veterans in Vermilion Parish. It is being held at the Abbeville Cris Crusta Airport in Abbeville on Saturday.
It will also benefit the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum.
When he began this project, not once did he think it would fall the same week as high school finals.
“It has been hectic,” said Hebert. “I did not know I would have finals the same week.”
Hebert created a pamphlet and a poster displaying the impressive day planned.
Last week he had a minor set back when he learned two major aviation attractions would not be attending the event. Scheduled to attend was a restored WWII B-17 bomber. But last week it blew an engine, so it was grounded.
Saturday morning “Race for Heroes” Air race was also scheduled to take place. They were based in Houston. Rain flooded the area and grounded the race planes.
Hebert was feeling down about his two main attractions being grounded, but his father cured all that with encouraging words.
“He reminded me that they were part of the event and not the reason why the event was taking place,” said Hebert.
It begins at 8 a.m. with a “Double Time for Troops” 5-K. Opening ceremonies will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Also at the museum will be the Victory Belles, who will take you on a nostalgic music journey through WWII era musical classics like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Chattanooga Choo Choo. They will play at 12:30 p.m.
From 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Dustin Sonnier will perform.
Abbeville Attorney Louis Garrot is impressed with what Hebert is doing for his Eagle Scout Award.
“I express my admiration for young Emile Hebert for putting this event together,” said Garrot. “I cannot imagine any prospective Eagle Scout performing a service project of nearly equal proportion as Emile has taken on this project. It will be a day of fun for all and reverence to those who served America well. You did this in a big way, Emile. Parents Marty and Ann Hebert are deservedly proud.”

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT

Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from Vermilion Parish. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Follow Us

Site Links

Subscriber Links