Fifty-two years after they signed up together, two Abbeville men have been honored by their hometown for opening the door for others.
The City of Abbeville recognized Marion J. Bessard Jr. and Donald Ray Shelvin at a Veterans Day service at Macedonia Baptist Church on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Mayor Anita Levy’s proclamation, issued with the City Council, honors them as the first African American men to enlist in the Abbeville-based 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment of the Louisiana Army National Guard, in 1974.
The proclamation calls that “a significant milestone in the integration of the local military unit” and “an important chapter in the history of Abbeville and Vermilion Parish.”
Two classmates, one decision
Both men were Abbeville High School students when they answered the call to serve together, according to the proclamation. Bessard graduated from Abbeville High in 1974.
They were recruited by Chief Warrant Officer 4 D. A. LeBlanc, the city’s proclamation says, and went through basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. They joined at a time when the country’s armed forces were still working through integration, and the proclamation says their willingness to serve then “demonstrated courage, determination, and a commitment to overcoming barriers, helping open doors for future generations of service members.”
The mayor and council recognized both men “for their military service, their pioneering roles in the integration of the Abbeville-based Louisiana Army National Guard unit, and their lasting contributions to the history of Abbeville and Vermilion Parish.”
“Trailblazers”
The recognition was spearheaded by Councilman Terry Broussard, who represents District D. The city says he gathered the history of the two men’s service and brought it to light.
“These two men are trailblazers who answered the call to serve our country while helping pave the way for future generations of African Americans in military service,” Broussard said in a statement provided by the city.
“Their courage, dedication, and service are an important part of Abbeville’s history,” he said. “As a community, we owe them a debt of gratitude, and it is our responsibility to honor their contributions and carry their legacy forward.”
The proclamation closes by thanking the two veterans for their service “to our state and nation, and for the legacy they have established for our community and future generations.”
Do you know a Vermilion Parish veteran whose story should be told? Send it to news@thevermiliontimes.com.