In the shadow of the Louisiana State Capitol, a new monument stands to honor the men and women who have served in the Louisiana National Guard. Cajun is pleased to have donated time and equipment to help erect the monument in Veteran’s Memorial Park downtown, where members of the public will now have a permanent spot of quiet reflection and appreciation.
The “Minuteman” monument, dedicated May 21, 2019, includes two large stone pieces topped by a Minuteman statue, which represents the Guard’s roots in Colonial America, dating back to 1636. A plaza of bricks surrounds the monument with the names of fallen Guardsmen. The Louisiana National Guard has a lengthy history of supporting the state and region during domestic emergencies and national disasters, as well as the nation in foreign threats. By the end of this year, there will be 500 Louisiana National Guard Troops serving globally.
“The event demonstrated how much memorials like this mean to our military and the military families of the fallen,” said Cajun Industries Project Manager Hunter Landry. “It was an honor for Cajun to be part of it.”
During the ceremony, Cajun was publicly thanked for its contributions. Several weeks before the monument’s dedication, team members from Cajun’s deep foundations specialty group used a 30,000 lb. forklift to move the stone monument into its final configuration. The forklift was moved to the site with help from Ferrara Transport, Inc. Cajun supplied the forklift, an operator and a superintendent to ensure the project was completed safely and carefully. The team positioned the forklift into the center of the park and successfully used it to place two large stone pieces on top of the monument’s pedestal.
“We were so pleased to be able to apply our skills and equipment to something that will honor generations of Louisianans and their families,” said Landry.
The monument was dedicated in a ceremony hosted by Major General Glenn H. Curtis, the Louisiana National Guard Adjutant General. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke and acknowledged the families of fallen Guard members and current service members. Four F-16 fighter jets flew overhead, while Guardsmen fired off a 21-gun salute.
The sound of Taps closed the ceremony, leaving the public with a new memorial for lifelong reflection, appreciation and celebration.