The second annual Veterans Appreciation Day was recently held north of Lacombe with dozens of tents from a number of private organizations, state and federal agencies on hand giving out information for veterans of the Armed Forces.
The event took place in the parking lot of the St. Tammany Parish Coroners Office. Coroner Charles Preston MD said they gathered up as many resources they could find to share with attendees, and it was done with the help of the Veterans Administration Health Care Task Force. Information ranged from how to increase benefits and health care awareness, and how to contact locally available support organizations as well as topics of interest to anyone who served in the military. Last year they were able to help several veterans find additional help and benefits, he said.
Dr. Charles Preston, St. Tammany Parish Coroner
All of the food was donated and included Jambalaya, gumbo, ice cream and Texas Road House "Sliders." Some 40 vendors were signed up to take part in the event, Coroner Preston said. It was all done to show appreciation to the veterans in the area for their service to the country.
Here are some photographs of the event. Click on the images to make them larger.