Published November 11, 2014
Today, students, faculty, and staff from the University of Louisiana at Monroe gathered
in the ULM Conference Center to honor the veterans who are part of the ULM family.
The ceremony has become an annual tradition at ULM over the past three years with
memorable performances, and guest speakers. This year’s ceremony included a historical
reflection, Louisiana Air National Guard guest speaker, and the presentation of colors
by the Ouachita Parish High School ROTC.
Dr. Ruth Smith, director of the ULM School of Humanities, gave a short overview on
the history and significance of the event. Poppies were given to each guest.
“Since 1921, the poppy flower has symbolized the hope for future peace and has been
used to commemorate those who have died in the war. The poppy was the first vegetation
to grow in fields that had been devastated by the fighting,” she said.
Brigadier General Dr. Charles Chappuis, the Assistant Adjutant General for the Louisiana
Air National Guard, spoke to the honorees and supporters in attendance.
“It’s important that we take time to thank generations of veterans from all branches
and from all wars, who keep us safe and promote freedom around the world,” he said.
“Decades have passed and we are still in search of our enduring peace, but what each
generation has provided us with are men and women of conviction who sacrifice for
and provide service to their country.”
The ceremony ended with each ULM veteran receiving a recognition ribbon followed by
a moment of silence.
The following ULM veterans were honored during the ceremony:
Danial Allen (Deployed), Specialist, U.S. Army
Jamie Arnett, Specialist, Army National Guard
Brian Aucoin, Electrician Mate, U.S. Navy
Dr. Laurie Babin, Commander, U.S. Navy
Dr. Wendy Bailes, Specialist 4, Louisiana Army National Guard
Katherine Barber, Airman First Class, U.S. Air Force
Monese Battle, Private First Class, U.S. Army
Brittany Beasley, Specialist U.S. Army Reserves
Brett Bennett, First Sergeant, U.S. Army National Guard
Robert Bice, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Danny Brass, Specialist E4, U.S. Army
Ralph Buie, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Ethan Burke, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Rodney Cardin, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force
Dr. Roger Carpenter, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps/U.S. Army
Dr. Ken Clow, Specialist 5th Class, U.S. Army
Jacob Clowers, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army Special Ops
Tim Connelly (Deployed), First Lieutenant, U.S. Army/Aviation
Janine Corrent, Specialist, Louisiana Army National Guard
Jeffery Crownover, CW4, U.S. Army
Jerry Dahl, Private First Class, U.S. Army
Joseph Day, Petty Officer 3rd Class, U.S. Navy
Dr. Kitty DeGree, Women’s Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard
Johnecia Douglas, Sergeant, U.S. Army
Devin Dunn, Specialist E4, U.S. Army
Christopher Elg, Special Agent, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve
Brittany Foster, Private First Class, Louisiana Army National Guard
Amber Freeman, AE3, U.S. Navy
Kilian Garvey, Petty Officer 3rd Class, U.S. Navy
Jerry Gilmore, Staff Sergeant E6, U.S. Army
Dr. Paula Griswold, Ensign, U.S. Public Health Service
Constance Guidry (Deployed), Specialist E4, Louisiana Army National Guard
John Hammett, Staff Sergeant, E6 U.S. Army
Dr. Robert Hanser, E-5 Cryptologic Technician, U.S. Navy
Patrick Hendrix, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Ryan Hilton, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Artist Holland, Specialist 4, U.S. Army
Mary Holmes, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chuck Hughes Specialist 4th Class U.S. Army
Princess Hughes, Senior Airmen, U.S. Air Force
Dr. Cecil Hutto, Private First Class, U.S. Army
Macky James, Sergeant 4, U.S. Marine Corps
Judith Kalinich, Aviation Storekeeper 3rd Class, U.S. Navy
Joshua Kalinich, Hospitalman, U.S. Navy
Dr. Deanna Keller, AD3, U.S. Navy
Rande Kessler, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
Ruthoe Kyles, Specialist E4, U.S. Marine Corps
Jared LaBarge, Specialist E4, U.S. Army
Christopher Chad Lambert, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Treina Landrum, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
Tam Le, First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force
Michael Lee, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army/Louisiana Army National Guard
George Lewis V (Deployed), Specialist E4, Army National Guard
John Dale Loomis, Specialist, Louisiana Army National Guard
Dr. Shawn Manor, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, U.S. Navy
Kenneth Marshal, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Caren Meche, Specialist, E4 U.S. Navy
Jennifer Michael, Senior Airman, U.S. Air Force
Ebonee Millican, Specialist E4, Louisiana Army National Guard
Amy Minchew, Senior Airman, U.S. Air Force
Max Minchew, Senior Airman, U.S. Air Force
Elsie Oakes, Specialist E4, U.S. Army
Patrick O’Dell, First Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserves
Barry Parker, Petty Officer 2nd Class, U.S. Navy
Cody Parker, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Truong Pham, Senior Airman, U.S. Air Force
Dr. John-Nelson Pope, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy Reserves-Chaplain Corps
Dr. Wendel Ray, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force
Melissa Riley, Chief Petty Officer (E-7), U.S. Navy
Michael Rucks, Specialist E4, U.S. Marine Corps
Casey Savana (Deployed), Sergeant First Class, Louisiana Army National Guard
Amy Shoemaker, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force
Robert Simms, Specialist E4, U.S. Navy
Donald R. Smith, Jr., Specialist E5, U.S. Navy
Vernon Thompson, Tech Sergeant E6, U.S. Air Force
Louis Tolliver, Jr., Staff Sergeant/E-6, U.S. Marine Corps
Mark Triplet, 3rd Class Petty Officer, U.S. Navy
Barney Tucker, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Jimmy Waller, O-3 Captain, Louisiana Army National Guard
Laura Washer, Specialist 4, Louisiana Army National Guard
Ken Westerburg, Corporal, U.S. Army/Louisiana Army National Guard
Donald E. White, Specialist 5, U.S. Army
Latoya Williams, Specialist E4, Louisiana Army National Guard
Robert Worsham, Corporal, U.S. Air Force
Charles Wright, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force
Victoria Young, Specialist E4, U.S. Coast Guard
More about Brigadier General Dr. Charles Chappuis:
Brigadier General Dr. Charles Chappuis is the Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Joint
Force Headquarters, Louisiana National Guard. He is responsible for the formulation
of policy pertaining to administration and training of over 1,500 Louisiana Air National
Guardsmen and serves as the principle advisor to The Adjutant General on matters pertaining
to the Louisiana Air National Guard.
General Chappuis holds a Doctorate of Medicine from Louisiana State University School
of Medicine and has served as the Chief of Clinical Services, Commander of the 159th
Medical Group, State Surgeon, and State Air Surgeon, Louisiana National Guard.
General Chappuis deployed four times in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom
and led the 159th Medical Group in the relief effort at the Louisiana Superdome following
Hurricane Katrina. He currently holds the academic rank of Professor of Clinical Surgery,
Louisiana State University School of Medicine and is Chief of Surgery and Associate
Medical Director at University Hospital and Clinics in Lafayette, Louisiana.
