Jerome L. Buller, deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, pays homage to the nation's fallen veterans while recognizing their family members who endured the loss of a loved one Friday during a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings. Some 1.3 million veterans have lost their lives in combat from 1775 - 2021.

Father Clyde Thomas, a chaplain at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home, honors and remembers veterans who died serving their country and those who have died in the past year with a prayer Friday during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Home in Jennings. The ceremony honored the military service members who died while serving in the Armed Forces.

Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home resident Dryden Duhon, a Marine Corp veteran, cites the Pledge of Allegiance on Friday during the home's annual Memorial Day ceremony. The ceremony honored and remembered those who died defending their country and those veterans who have died in the past year.

Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home Administrator Coordinator of Medical Records Brandi Clay presents a flag to 82-year-old Vietnam veteran Sidney Scott on Friday before the start of the home's annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Jennings. The ceremony honored those servicemembers who lost their lives serving their country and those who died after their service.

Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home Director of Nursing Shellie Talbot and Chief Financial Officer Roland DeRouen conduct a ceremony of remembrance Friday to extinguish candles for the home's 73 veterans and spouses who have passed away since last Memorial Day. The Memorial Day ceremony also included prayers, guest speakers and patriotic music.