HONOR
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St Amant, across this parish, all across this state, we have stepped forward because freedom was worth defending
“We know that some of those heroes now rest beneath white crosses, beneath marble stones, and cemeteries across this nation and across the world. We must speak of them today not as a statistic, but as fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, classmates, neighbors and friends. Their sacrifice purchased every freedom that we enjoy today
The ceremony included various elements to honor those who have died while serving in the military Veterans from each branch of the United States military were recognized
The Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard presented and retired the colors. Maylin Babin and Claire Taranto sang patriotic ballads.
VFW Post 3693 presented a casket ceremony The solemn tribute featured an American flag-draped casket with members of the post folding the flag to honor those who died in the line of duty.
Local government officials who attended included Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment, Ascension Parish Assessor M.J. “Mert” Smiley, Gonzales Mayor Tim Riley and Constable James LeBlanc.
Others who helped with the ceremony included the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Legion and the Blue Star Mothers.
The ceremony also included a moment to honor Wally Paul Taillon who passed away on May 25. Taillon was instrumental in the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival, serving as president of the Jambalaya Festival Association for 20 years.
Retired Major Shelby Ballard announced he was retiring as Ascension Veterans Memorial Park committee chairman
For more information about the VFW Post 3693 and services provided, visit www vfw3693.org.
To learn more about the park and Ascension Parish government, visit www.ascensionparish.net.
LEBOEUF
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said he continues to communicate with NFL teams.
Ascension Catholic player commits to Baton Rouge academy
Senior basketball player Kamryn Schexnayder along with his parents, Dodi and Ryan Schexnayder, at As-
cension Catholic signing ceremony signed with Innovation Academy in Baton Rouge as a post graduate student athlete.
Schexnayder was a three-year starter for ACHS and was recently named all district, all metro and honorable mention all state.
Troy LeBoeuf covers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@hotmail. com or ascension@theadvocate. com.
Senior basketball player Kamryn Schexnayder along with his parents, Dodi and Ryan Schexnayder at Ascension Catholic for his recent signing Schexnayder signed with Innovation Academy in Baton Rouge as a post graduate student athlete. Schexnayder was a 3-yr starter for ACHS and was recently named all-district, all-metro and honorable mention all-state.
Former Donaldsonville Tiger, LSU Tiger and Carolina Panther Stephen Sullivan
PHOTOS BY TROY LEBOEUF
Former Donaldsonville Tiger, LSU Tiger and Carolina Panther Stephen Sullivan held its annual camp in Donaldsonville on Saturday.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY ASCENSION CATHOLIC
Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre speaks May 25 during a Memorial Day observance ceremony in Gonzales. Also pictured are Ascension Veterans Memorial Park Committee chair retired Maj. Shelby Ballard, left, and retired Naval Chief Petty Officer Michele Unitas, right.
The Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard present and retire the Colors on May 25 during Memorial Day observance ceremony in Gonzales. The event, typically held outside at the Ascension Memorial Veterans Memorial Park, was moved indoors at the Gonzales Ascension Council on Aging because of inclement weather
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Veterans stand Monday during the Memorial Day observance ceremony in Gonzales. The event honored those who died while serving in the U.S military.
Canines take over Lamar-Dixon for show
BY WENDY LOUP
Contributing writer
Wags, whiskers and winners were on tap over the weekend at the Jambalaya Cluster Dog Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
The annual event attracted around 550 canines from around the country.
Hosted by the Baton Rouge Kennel Club and the Riverside West Kennel Club of Greater New Orleans, the show Friday through Monday, May 29 to June 1, featured daily competitions in multiple rings inside the Rev Center
Spectators could meet the dogs and speak with the trainers and breeders with free entry Lamar-Dixon has hosted the show since 2018, according to show chair Ebony Holmes.
“The facilities here are ideal for dog shows with the space and lighting,” Holmes said. “They have RV parking on site The location is also close to numerous hotels and restaurants and roughly halfway between the Baton Rouge and New Orleans airports.”
More than 100 breeds, including beagles, bulldogs, greyhounds and Labradors, preened for the judges.
Sizes of the dogs ranged from the short, feisty Pembroke Welsh corgis to the tall and majestic Great Danes.
The show is a family-friendly event giving children the chance to learn more about the domesticated canines.
“It’s safe, fun, and appropriate for all ages,” Holmes said. “Children are given the opportunity to see cool dogs, while parents have the chance to learn about new breeds if they’re considering adding a furry member to the family.”
For trainers and owners, the dog show is a serious competition with judges awarding places in various groups: sporting, hound, working, terrier toy nonsporting, herding and best in show
For wife and husband duo Vicki and Phil DeGruy, their love of dogs has led to competing in dog
shows for 40 years.
“The best part of having a dog is the companionship,” Phil DeGruy said. “You have to always take care of them like taking care of a child, but they make the best companions.”
The DeGruys, who live in Lafayette, entered Five, their Chow
Chow, for judging.
The 16-month-old Five “is really a cat in dog’s clothing,” DeGruy said.
“Dogs are so accepting of everybody, and they love you unconditionally,” Vicki DeGruy said. “They say, ‘feed me,’ ‘pet me’ and ‘I’ll love you uncondi-
tionally.’ They are helpful to everyone, even people who have problems with human relationships.”
The show collected donated books for the American Kennel Club’s Bailey’s Book Club Drive
The club aims to provide dog-themed books and related resources to local Title 1 K-12 schools.
“AKC sent an email promoting the program, and after discussing it with the club, we were all onboard with the program,” Holmes said. “It’s a great way to introduce or reinforce the human-canine bond with children.”
The area kennel clubs hope dog shows and programs like Bailey’s Book Club Drive show how important and beneficial fourlegged friends are to families.
“Dogs enrich our lives in so many ways,” Holmes said. “They teach us to be empathetic, cheer us up and have so many positive impacts on our mental wellbeing.
“Purebred and purposefully bred dogs add depth to the conversation, as their predictability in size, temperament, appearance and other breed-specific traits allows families to select breeds that are compatible with their lifestyle.”
The Jambalaya Cluster Dog Show continues to grow each year, Holmes added.
“We have an excellent show site,” she said. “We have great volunteers from both clubs to help the show run smoothly
“Add a little Southern charm, hospitality and jambalaya to that, and you’ve got a show that captures the spirit of Louisiana.”
For information about Bailey’s Book Club Drive, email batonrougekennelclub@gmail.com.
For information about the Baton Rouge Kennel Club, visit batonrougekennelclub.com.
Pembroke Welsh corgis stand awaiting judging during Sunday’s Jambalaya Cluster Dog Show in Gonzales. More than 100 breeds competed in the annual dog show.
Five a Chow Chow, and his owner Phil DeGruy relax before competing
await
Jambalaya Cluster Dog Show at
Lamar-Dixon Expo Center Other breeds who competed in the annual dog show included beagles, Dobermans, whippets, and French bulldogs.
Jambalaya Cluster Dog Show Judge James A. Moses studies a Pembroke Welsh corgi.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Jambalaya Cluster Dog Show Judge Cindy Meyer, right, looks at Bruce, a Great Dane, along with his owner, Brittney Newman, of Robertsdale, Ala., on Sunday
