Baton Rouge honors fallen heroes with flags, ceremony, six-mile march
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Baton Rouge community came together to honor the lives of Louisiana's fallen service members during Memorial Day weekend.
The event, which included the placement of over 11,000 American flags, a six-mile commemorative march, and a ceremony at the Louisiana State Capitol, drew hundreds of families, veterans, and local leaders in a powerful display of patriotism and remembrance.
The day began with the reading of names, one by one, of Louisiana service members who gave their lives from 9/11 to the present day. Each name was met with a respectful pause, the sound of a bell, and the unwavering attention of those in attendance.
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'For them, it's their child being remembered — their brother, their father, their mother, their sister,' said Natalie Truax of the Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana. 'And that means the world to them, because their loved one died for our country. They died for our freedom, and people tend to forget that.'
One Gold Star family member shared, 'I have a hole in my heart that won't be closed until the day I go to heaven.'
At the top of the hill near the State Capitol, a sea of red, white, and blue stretched across the grounds, each flag symbolizing a life lost in service.
'Those 11,000 flags represent lives,' said Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. 'We live our lives free every day because of the men and women that those flags represent.'
The flags were carried to the State Capitol by military personnel, veterans, and families — a six-mile journey that served as a living tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served.
'We're just a heartbeat away, a breath away—where any military family could be in that same predicament,' Truax said. 'It's important to be there for our Gold Stars. To give them a sense of community, a sense of support.'
As bagpipes played and tears were shed, the day served as a heartfelt reminder that Memorial Day is a day of reflection and gratitude for those who gave their all.
The flag display will remain at the State Capitol through May 31. The public is invited to help respectfully remove the flags next Saturday at 9 a.m.
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