[StBernard] Governor, First Gentleman host fourth annual candlelight vigil

[Westley Annis]

Governor, First Gentleman host fourth annual candlelight vigil

BATON ROUGE - Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and First Gentleman Raymond S. Blanco will host the fourth annual candlelight vigil in remembrance of deceased children, military personnel and first responders. "Our Children Remembered: A Candlelight Vigil" will be held on the front steps of the State Capitol Friday, January 19, 2006, at 4:30 pm.

"Raymond and I know the pain and suffering that comes with losing a child," Governor Blanco said. "This event is very near and dear to our hearts. We hold this event to not only honor the lives we have lost, but to celebrate our memories of those dear to us."

The Governor and First Gentleman invite all families who have lost children as well as the general public to attend the ceremony. The Governor and First Gentleman Blanco extend special invitations to the families and friends of the servicemen and women of Louisiana who have lost their lives both overseas and here on the home front. Military personnel, first responders, firefighters and police officers from across the state are also encouraged to attend.

"The war overseas has taken the lives of so many men and women," First Gentleman Blanco said. "This is our opportunity to honor them and their families. Our hearts truly go out to them."

The fourth annual candlelight vigil comes just a day before the 30th birthday of Governor and First Gentleman Blanco's son, Benedict Andrew, known as Ben, who was tragically killed on January 2, 1997 at the age of 19.

For information about "Our Children Remembered: A Candlelight Vigil" contact Fredell Butler at (225) 219-4557.

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org