Veterans Recognition Ceremony held by St. Bernard Parish government to mark Veterans Day which is Wednesday

Veterans of military service gather at the St. Bernard Veterans Monument during St. Bernard Parish government’s annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony.	Flags are raised at the Veterans Monument near parish government.
Maj. Mark Poche of the Sheriff’s Office recites the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the ceremony.	Veterans attending the ceremony.

Numerous veterans of military service turned out Tuesday as St. Bernard Parish government held its annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony to mark Veterans Day, which is Wedmesday.

Mike Gorbaty, chief administrative officer for parish government and a Lt. Col in the U.S. Air Force (Retired), was master of ceremonies and Maj. Mark Poche, head of the Special Operations Division of the Sheriff’s Office, recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Darlene Graves, St. Bernard Parish Veterans Service Officer, spoke, as well as guest speaker Lt. Col. Kenneth Copple, Deputy Post Commander, Louisiana National Guard.

Bonnie Pepper Cook asked veterans attending the ceremony to stand at the St. Bernard Veterans Monument at the corner of Judge Perez Drive and Jean Lafitte Parkway and dozens gathered in front of the monuments designated for each branch of the military.