Memorial Day 2025

 A solemn Memorial Day Program hosted by the Robert H. Burns American Legion Post No. 16 was held Monday morning, May 26, 2025, in front of the St. Tammany Justice Center. Around 150 people attended. 

Click on the images to make them larger. 

Dennis Charlesworth, First Vice Commander for the Post, served as Master of Ceremonies. He explained the message behind Memorial Day and hoped that future generations will be taught to remember this day. 

From left to right:

Ignatius DeSandro gave the invocation, 1st Vice Commander Dennis Charlesworth and Emily Vennen who sang the Star Spangled Banner

Post Commander Malcolm Maginnis Jr. welcomed those present. He said those honored on Memorial Day not only includes those who lost their lives while in the service, but also all those who died after their active duty was over. He recalled the sacrifices made by the original colonists militia in the first battles against the British during the American Revolution, now known as the "Shot Heard Around The World."

He encouraged the young people of today to donate a couple of hours of their free time each week to the service of their community. 

Guest speakers from left to right: John M. Schroder Sr., Parish Councilman Larry Rolling, and Covington City Council President  Mark Verrett, who is also President of the Covington Heritage Foundation

Rolling was representing Parish President Mike Cooper, and Verrett was standing in for Mayor Mark Johnson of Covington. Verrett invited everyone there to enjoy the special luncheon being held at city hall after the day's program. 

Schroder was the main speaker. A former narcotics detective and Covington businessman, he also served as state treasurer for seven years, as well as a state representative. He told about the importance of Memorial Day, honoring all those who served from all walks of life and were willing to lay down their lives so that others could live free. 

Click on the above play triangle to hear a recording of Schroder's speech

He challenged those present to not let their sacrifice be in vain, but to live and volunteer and help those in need in their community. "Our fallen did not give their lives so that we could just sit idly by and bar-be-que on this holiday," he said. "They gave them so that we could build a better nation and a stronger and kinder community. So let us be worthy of that sacrifice."

Ken Diebold salutes the POW/MIA Chair, left, 

and 103-year-old veteran Jim Robinson, right, was the oldest veteran in attendance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Madelyn Ogden and Cecilia Ogden

The Advancement of Colors was performed by the St. Tammany Veterans Honor Guard

The American Heritage Girls gave the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language

The Laying of the Wreaths before the Armed Service Memorials

The playing of "Taps"

The Rifle Salute and Playing of Taps were performed by the St. Tammany Veterans Honor Guard

Other guest speakers included Lisa Vennen of the Ladies Auxiliary who told about the "Wreaths Across America" program and Bonnie Dennis of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Others recognized for their contributions to the St. Tammany veterans community included Lane Carson, local VFW Post representatives, Matt Cole with the Justin McLeese Marine Corps League, and the members of the Pierre deMarigny Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

The program for the event

Thanked for their help in putting on the Memorial Day Program was  Boy Scout Troop 160 and the Covington Fire Department.

Afterwards, a special ceremony took place at the gravesite of Robert H. Burns, the Post's namesake, in Covington Cemetery No. 1

Veterans Appreciation Reception

After the Memorial Day program, participants were invited to a special luncheon hosted by the City of Covington and the Covington Heritage Foundation

Also at the Memorial Day program were several information displays on services and organizations of interest to veterans. 

The Equine Reflections Therapeutic Center

"Rescue Horses Rescue People"

Website

The Quilts of Valor organization website

The American Legion Display Table

The Covington City Fire Department also brought their ladder truck with the huge American Flag

One of the Quilts of Valor

Links of Interest:

Memorial Day Program Held - 2023

Covington Remembers

https://heroesfarewell.blogspot.com/

Veterans Day 2024

  The annual Veterans Day ceremony took place at 10 a.m. at the entrance of the St. Tammany Justice Center in Covington Monday. More than 100 people turned out for the event, which was hosted by American Legion Robert H. Burns Post No. 16. 

Dennis W. Charlesworth served as master of ceremonies, and among the dignitaries speaking were Parish President Mike Cooper, Covington Mayor Mark Johnson, Lucy Vennen of Post 16 Auxiliary, Rachel Shaw with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Matt Cole with the Marine Corps League.

Video from the Veterans Day Program

Click on the "Play Triangle" to view the video

The guest speaker was Tiffany McGary Cyprian, who told about her organization and how it is meeting the housing needs of homeless veterans in St. Tammany Parish. 

Mia Ditta sang the national anthem and "God Bless America," and the American Heritage Girls led the Pledge of Allegiance. Arthur Bennet Jr. gave the invocation and the benediction. The St. Tammany Veterans Honor Guard took part in the Advancement of Colors, the three volley Rifle Salute and the playing of "taps."

Here are some photographs. Click on the image to make them larger. 

Master of Ceremonies Dennis Charlesworth

The St. Tammany Veterans Honor Guard advanced the colors

The American Heritage Girls led the Pledge of Allegiance

Senior veterans of wars as long ago as World War II and the Korean War were honored

Parish President Mike Cooper and Covington Mayor Mark Johnson

along with Lucy Vennen of the Post 16 Auxiliary

Matt Cole with the Marine Corps League, Rachel Shaw with the Daughters of the American Revolution and Guest Speaker Tiffany McGary Cyprian with the Welcome Ministries Community Home

The three volley rifle salute

The American Heritage Girls group

Mia Ditta sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America"

The oldest two veterans in attendance

The entire group of veterans

A number of tables were set up giving out information about various services available to veterans, as well as book sales by author Allen Oxford shown above.

The Covington Fire Department brought out their big flag

Veterans Day was originally known at Armistice Day. It is a federal holiday observed on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The event originally marked the end of World War I, which came in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. 

Forty-seven years ago, in 1977, I took this picture of the Veterans Day program in front of the old courthouse on Boston Street.

Memorial Day Ceremony Held in Covington

 The Robert H. Burns American Legion Post No. 16 hosted a Memorial Day Ceremony in front of the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center on Monday, May 27, 2024.

A number of dignitaries took part, with over 200 people in attendance. Past Commander Dennis Charlesworth served as master of ceremonies. 

The St. Tammany Veterans Honor Guard advanced the colors and gave a three volley rifle salute, and afterwards paid their respects with a salute to their Post's namesake Robert H. Burns, with a visit to his gravesite in Covington Cemetery No. 1 not far from the courthouse. 

Brewer Arnoult sang the National Anthem and "God Bless America," while the Pledge of Allegiance was led by "Miss Poppy" Madelyn Ogden and "Little Miss Poppy" Cecilia Ogden. The pledge was also "signed" by a group of American Heritage Girls. 

The program included the recognition of the POW/MIA Chair by Ken Diebold, comments by Pam Herty with the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 16, and recognition of Matt Cole with the Marine Justice League. 

Mike Cooper, president of St. Tammany Parish, (at left above) welcomed those present, and Chuck Rooney (second from left) gave a stirring speech about the meaning of Memorial Day, with specific instances of sudden tragic loss on the battlefield. Joe Bosch (at right) read two poems he had written about Memorial Day. 

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military. Originally known as "Decoration Day," it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. 

Following the ceremony at the courthouse, all were invited to join Mayor Mark Johnson at the Covington City Hall for a Veterans Appreciation Reception. Over 100 enjoyed the chance to sit down, cool off from the earlier sunlit ceremony at the courthouse, and shared a meal and musical entertainment.