Caddo observes its first Louisiana National Guard Day

Commissioner wants the day to be recognized statewide, not just in his parish

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards deployed about 174 Louisiana National Guard soldiers and airmen... — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards deployed about 174 Louisiana National Guard soldiers and airmen to Washington, D.C., to assist with crowd and traffic control in and around the Capitol, National Mall and White House during the presidential inauguration Jan. 20. The troops also provided communications, logistical, medical and public affairs support.(Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh | Source: Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh/U.S. Army National Guard)

By Destinee Patterson

Updated: Jan. 31, 2021 at 10:49 PM CST

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — From administering COVID-19 tests and providing PPEs to helping remove hurricane debris, District 12 Caddo Commissioner Ken Epperson said it is about time the Louisiana National Guard gets some recognition for its hard work.

Thank you Caddo Parish Commission for recognizing our Guardsmen and naming Jan. 31, 2021 “Louisiana National Guard Day.”...
Posted by Louisiana National Guard on Friday, January 29, 2021

This past “tumultuous year” was all the more reason to create a day to honor the National Guard in the parish, he added. “They are doing a tremendous job.”

Commission President Lyndon B. Johnson, who represents District 2, said National Guard members were called upon a lot during 2020. Even in 2021, about 174 soldiers and airmen were sent to the U.S. Capitol for Inauguration Day, following a pro-Trump insurrection.

“Most of the time, they thought they would probably be ‘reservers,’ but they’re actually being called up to do a lot of active duty.”

About two weeks ago, the Caddo Commission unanimously voted to mark Jan. 31 as Louisiana National Guard Day.

“I want to ask the governor if he’ll declare a proclamation stating Louisiana as a whole as Louisiana National Guard Recognition Day,” Epperson said.

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