The Slidell Garden Club honored veterans of all branches of the military, both living and deceased, Wednesday morning at a ceremony in front of the Veterans Memorial at the corner of Cleveland and Third streets.

The Pearl River High School JROTC Color Guard presented the colors as Letty Lizana sang the national anthem.

Members of the local American Legion Post as well as the VFW post and their auxiliaries participated in the event, and Ann Voight, senior vice president of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, present the invocation for the event, and Elva Ellerman, Slidell Garden Club member, read the 23rd Psalm.

Members of the Northshore Honor Guard, from left, Stuart McKuhn, Charles Martin, Ricky Vice, John Scazzafavo, Fred Schulte and Robert Fertitta, stand at attention as the flag is presented at Slidell’s Veterans Day ceremony. (Staff Photo by Suzanne Le Breton)

Emile J. Lamulle Sr., a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II, placed a wreath in front of the memorial. He was standing in for Donald Link, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who also served in World War II. Link was ill and could not come Wednesday.

Ron Ruthledge, U.S. Army veteran who served in the Korean War, gave the address.

He thanked the Garden Club for putting together the event, and sent those present out with two missions.

He asked them to share with the younger generations about the sacrifices veterans have made.

“Youngsters have no idea what the previous veterans have gone through to make events like this possible,” he said. He told those present to share with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren about what the nation would be like if it would not have been for the sacrifices WW II and other veterans have made in the past. His second request was for those present to thank and honor those individuals who are currently serving in the military.

“They do not always go where they want to go,” he said. “They go where they are needed.” “We should always take the time to say thank you for their service and to shake their hand.”

He recommended that people continue to send care packages and letters to troops serving overseas as a way to help their efforts and show their support.

A hush came over the audience who gathered for the annual ceremony as the Northshore Honor Guard, which is made up of Commander Chester David, J.W. Laird, Stuart McKuhn, Charles Martin, Ricky Vice, John Scazzafavo, Fred Schulte and Robert Fertitta, presented a 21-gun salute and Shelly Ganczak, a member of their auxiliary, played Taps.