While some people enjoyed an extra day off in the sun with barbeques and cookouts, a small group of Eunice residents, including veterans and their families, gathered for the city’s Memorial Day service, in front of the Rotary fountain.

VFW 8971 member Al Courville noted that more than one million soldiers have died since Americans first took up arms to fight for freedom from the British in 1775.

VFW 8971 member Bill Wimberly told the audience he reminded his children, “Please remember what this day is really for; it is for those who are not here today to enjoy barbeques.”

Eunice Mayor Claud “Rusty” Moody reminded the audience that Memorial Day is to honor those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, but added, “When I look around and see these parents who have lost their loved ones to war, it is hard to say who has paid the ultimate sacrifice. To all those parents, we salute you.”

VFW Acting Quartermaster Monty Chandler read the names of those Eunice residence engraved on the stone monument downtown who died in war, as well as those who were Prisoners of War, and offered a special salute to World War II former POW Harold Gourney, who was in attendance.

At the conclusion of the program, the Kinder Post 215 Honor Guard performed the Salute for the Fallen.