Abbeville officials support military museum as state cuts loom

Officials in Abbeville have spoken often about the pride of having the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum located in the city.
As state cuts loom that could affect the museum’s existence, Abbeville officials are saying they will do what they can to help ensure the museum remains open.
The state expects to cut nearly $3 million for museums in this year’s budget. The military museum in Abbeville receives $30,000 a year from the state.
The group “Friends of the Museum” plays a big role in fundraising, as well as owning the building.
“We don’t want to see it go away,” Abbeville Councilman-at-Large Francis Plaisance said. “It’s important to the community. Not only does it preserve the wars, so that our kids can see what it is all about, but it is also a place where we can honor those who have served our country. Some of them have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Plaisance is on the state board for the museum. Secretary of State Tom Schedler, whose office operates the museum, appointed Plaisance to that board.
The city has shown financial support for the museum. In April of 2015, the city council voted to pledge $5,000 to keep the museum open three days a week. The museum would have been open only one day a week had the council not made that move.
“The council is still committed to the museum,” Mayor Mark Piazza said. “They don’t want to see it closed.
“We will make every effort to see that it remains open.”
The museum, which honors veterans statewide, is located at the Chris Crusta Memorial Airport in Abbeville. It opened in 2009. The hours of operation are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The museum is a great tourist attraction and honors veterans statewide,” Piazza said. “We see a lot of benefit for the veterans by having this museum. It’s an honor to have it here in Abbeville.
“We don’t want to see it closed.”
Plaisance agreed.
“This is a museum that honors all branches of the military,” Plaisance said. “It is something that we need to preserve for our kids. We are honoring people who served and gave their lives.
“This museum is honoring people who made sacrifices so that we can do what we do today.”