St. Mary AARP presents Veterans Day tribute

A special Veterans Day Tribute was presented by Gordon Smith during the St. Mary AARP Chapter 4435 monthly meeting on Nov. 5 at the St. Mary Senior Citizens Center, home of St. Mary AARP, in Morgan City.
Following a brief description of the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice and the evolution of Veterans Day, a musical tribute was played. As the anthems of each of the five U.S. Armed Forces were played, Veterans of each Branch (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard) were asked to stand and be recognized.
Special recognition was given to AARP members who are World War II Veterans. AARP member Ronald Hill, retired Chief Warrant Officer 4, with 30 years of active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard, spoke to the membership about the importance of Veterans Day, and what his many years of service meant to him.
Prior to the meeting, members and guests were entertained with dance music, followed by bingo until 6:15 p.m.
Also before the meeting, Lorie Beal, RN, ASN, of the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, met with members to hand out fliers and discuss services available at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Franklin and Houma. Services provided include basic primary care, lab services, mental health, and women’s health.
The meeting and meal sponsor for November was Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City. Attendees were served meatloaf and gravy, creamed potatoes, sweet peas and salad. The meal was prepared by Pat Fryer and Mary Lee Gaudet.
Candace Dinger, Hargrave manager and funeral director, gave a video presentation and discussed the unique and special services offered by the funeral home.
Birthday and anniversary celebrants for November were recognized at the meeting. The cake was donated by M C Bank.
The next St. Mary AARP meeting and meal will be Dec. 3.