Despite its occurrence at the end of a busy holiday season, the ceremonial placement last Saturday of two Braille Flags at the Jefferson Parish Eastbank Regional Library in Metairie, Louisiana, brought dozens of citizens from the community to see what a Braille flag actually looks like. The crowd added to a number of invited guests and participants.

Included in the program was the participation of a five-piece brass combo of the 4th Division of the Marine Forces Reserve Band, headquartered in Louisiana. The combo played patriotic hymns and a medley of the service anthems during the official ceremony and additional numbers before and afterward. Library staff, several Lions from area clubs, and representatives of local Veterans Service Organizations were also present.

The Eastbank Regional Library, the Parish’s main library, received a Bronze Braille American Flag sponsored by the New Orleans Mid-City Lions Club to be placed near the front door next to the U.S. flagpole. The acrylic American flag, sponsored by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers’ Red Dress Run last August, was to be located in the Children’s section of library.

Nicholas Caluda, Chairman of the Jefferson Parish Library’s 75th Anniversary Committee, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Welcoming remarks were provided by Jessica Styons, Director of the 16-branch Jefferson Parish Library System.

Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group Treasurer and Past National President Joe Burns presented the history and mission of the Blinded Veterans Association while regional group member Gary Schoelerman explained the significance of the Braille Flag, the involvement of the regional group in a campaign to place flags in every VA facility in Louisiana and Mississippi, and how the project has expanded to now include public libraries, city halls, veterans parks, and other public venues.

Cyril M. Lagvanec, Ph.D, curator of the American-Italian Research Library within the East Bank Regional Library, gave a brief lecture on the life of Louis Braille. Guests were then invited to remain for the screening of the documentary “Pick of the Litter,” a story about the life and training of a guide dog.

Also present was regional group secretary Shawntina Gibson and BVA member Jerry Newman, the latter a resident of the city of Metairie himself. A member of the Jewish War Veterans, Jerry represented both organizations at the event.

“Branch managers of the smaller Jefferson Parish libraries who attended told us that they also had room in their libraries for a Braille flag and a plaque,” said Gary Schoelerman, who also began discussing with other attendees the possibility of involving local Veterans Service Organizations and Lions Clubs in sponsoring a flag.

“For every flag we donate, ten more are requested, and every time we do a presentation we get leads on two or three organizations that may want to sponsor a flag,” said Joe Burns. “It’s a never-ending, wonderful Merry-Go-Round that allows us to get the message out about BVA and what the Association does to help our fellow veterans who have lost their sight.”