Regional groups ensure recognition reaches from WWII heroes to current veteran leaders

ADDIS — Regional veteran organizations including the Addis VFW Post 3785, Port Allen American Legion Post 160, and Westside Honor Guard have honored veterans spanning eight decades of service, from a centenarian World War II Navy veteran to a current Honor Guard commander, demonstrating their collective commitment to recognizing military service across all generations.

House Call for 100-Year-Old Veteran

Earlier this month, VFW Quartermaster Lenny Loupe made a special house call to present a parish proclamation to Gloria Rivault Wilbert, the 100-year-old Addis native who served as Grand Marshall for the 2024 Veteran's Day Parade. Health issues had prevented Wilbert from receiving the honor when it was initially awarded last year, but the VFW ensured she didn't go unrecognized.

The intimate home ceremony highlighted the VFW's dedication to ensuring no veteran goes unhonored, regardless of circumstances.

Born August 11, 1924, in Addis, Wilbert graduated from Brusly High School and Baton Rouge Business College before working as a secretary for E.I. DuPont. When World War II intensified, she answered her country's call by joining the Navy as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) in 1944.

Historic Service During WWII

Wilbert's military service took her far from her West Baton Rouge Parish roots. She completed basic training at Hunter College in New York and specialized yeoman training at Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater. Her assignment to Jacksonville Naval Air Station placed her in a critical support role as secretary to the Commanding Officer of the Emergency and Repair Division, where she handled all paperwork for the division.

Her service extended beyond administrative duties—Wilbert was voted "Queen of the War Bond," recognizing her contributions to the home front war effort. She was honorably discharged in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1946.

Honor Guard Commander Receives Regional Recognition

In July, the VFW joined with the Port Allen American Legion Post 160 and Westside Honor Guard to honor James "Fry" Hymel of White Castle, recognizing more than four decades of dedicated service to fellow veterans and his community.

Hymel received both a Certificate of Appreciation and Citation for Meritorious Service during a July ceremony, honoring his role as Commander of the Westside Honor Guard.

The Westside Honor Guard coordinates with American Legion Posts 160 (Port Allen), 167 (Plaquemine), 212 (White Castle), and VFW 3785 in Addis to provide military funeral honors for veterans and their families across the region.

Service Through Adversity

Both veterans exemplify service despite significant personal challenges. Hymel, who served in the United States Army from 1958-1961 with deployments to Germany, North Africa, and Czechoslovakia during the Cold War, has continued his veteran advocacy work while overcoming major health obstacles, including two heart transplants in 1993 and 2010.

Beyond his veteran service, Hymel has served as a White Castle City Councilman since 1982, leading and chairing numerous committees throughout his tenure.

Continuing Mission

The recognition of both veterans reflects the VFW's broader mission to honor military service across all eras and circumstances. From formal ceremonies recognizing current veteran leaders to personal home visits ensuring elderly veterans receive overdue recognition, the Addis VFW demonstrates that no veteran's service is forgotten.

The American Legion's Certificate of Appreciation to Hymel recognized his "outstanding service and assistance which contributed to the advancement of The American Legion programs and activities dedicated to God and Country," while the Citation for Meritorious Service honored his "exemplary, loyal, and dedicated service to your community and fellow veterans."

The Westside Honor Guard's regional approach ensures that deceased veterans receive proper military funeral honors regardless of their specific community, reflecting the broader commitment to veteran care that transcends municipal boundaries.

Both honors showcase how veteran organizations continue working to ensure that service to country—whether during World War II or through decades of post-service veteran advocacy—receives the recognition it deserves.

Regional veteran organizations including the Addis VFW Post 3785, Port Allen American Legion Post 160, and Westside Honor Guard continue accepting nominations for veteran recognition. Community members who know veterans deserving recognition can contact these organizations through their regular meetings and community events.