[StBernard] Katrina Fourth Anniversary Ceremony at Shell Beach

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish holds Commemorative Service at Katrina Monument

Morning ceremony on the banks of the MRGO honors victims

 

St. Bernard Parish Government marked the fourth anniversary of Hurricane
Katrina's landfall with many events including a soulful and inspirational
ceremony on the banks of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet in Shell Beach. 

 

At the ceremony, nearly 200 gathered as officials reflected on the day's
meaning.

 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro Jr. recognized those who lost
family members and friends to Hurricane Katrina, including the 163 souls
whose names are on the granite monument at Shell Beach. 

 

"This is an important time to remember those who have lost loved ones, and
we will continue to honor their memory," Taffaro said. He thanked the
previous parish government administration and Unified Recovery Group, which
created and funded the monument. 

 

President Taffaro thanked officials from FEMA and the Louisiana Recovery
Authority for their ongoing assistance with the many recovery projects in
the parish.

 

Mark Landry, Assistant Deputy Director of the Transitional Recovery Office,
said he would keep working to keep monies flowing to recovery projects.

 

St. Bernard Parish Council members Frank Auderer, Wayne Landry, Ray Lauga,
George Cavignac, Mike Ginart and Fred Everhardt all rededicated the monument
by reading aloud all the names of the deceased victims who died as a result
of Katrina. 

 

Fire Chief Thomas Stone led the Pledge of Allegiance, Father John Arnone of
St. Bernard Catholic Church and Pastor Ben Alderman of New Horizon Church
offered prayers.

 

State Rep. Reed Henderson also shared his thoughts on the occasion. The
Chalmette High School Voices added to the event, singing the National Anthem
and an inspirational song. 

 

Alton Blappert of Shell Beach and David Meyer of Kenilworth spent their own
time and money replanting and maintaining the garden in time for the fourth
anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. 

For more information about Recovery and Growth in St. Bernard Parish, visit
our website at www.sbpg.net
<https://mail.sbpg.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.sbpg.net/> .

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