- December 20, 2024
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Retired U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Pierre Louis delivers a speech during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Blue Notes Band performs at the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin speaks during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Deputy Mayor Harold Briley speaks during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Deputy Mayor Harold Briley reads a proclamation during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7, as City Commissioner-elect Kristin Deaton (left) and Commissioner Lori Tolland (right) join him onstage. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Army veteran James Luke salutes the flag during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Vietnam veteran Richard Sawicki stands as his branch is called during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Marine Sgt. William Milledge and Vietnam veteran Bob Bendlin stand as their branch is called during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
U.S. Marine Corps veteran John Reeves stands as his branch is called during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Veteran David Williams stands as his branch is called during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Air Force veteran Gloria Wakowski stands as her branch is called during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Veteran Bryant Thorpe stands as his branch is called during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Antoinette Steele waves a flag for her son, who is in the Coast Guard. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Coast Guard veteran Barry du Moulin stands as his branch is called during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
U.S. Merchant Marine veteran Wendell Hawes stands as his branch is called during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
U.S. Marine Corps veteran George Smith. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Rev. Willie Branch Jr., chaplain of the Volusia County Veterans Council, hugs Sonja Johnson, Ormond Beach community events coordinator, during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Rev. Willie Branch Jr., chaplain of the Volusia County Veterans Council, delivers the invocation during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Veterans line up for the lunch buffet during the Ormond Beach Veterans Day Celebration and Luncheon event on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Veterans are ordinary people that do extraordinary things, said retired U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Pierre Louis during the city of Ormond Beach's Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 7.
"We're here to applaud each and every one of you that's taken that charge and that order for service," Louis said. "We thank you. I thank you. It was an inspiration for my life, an inspiration for a number of people and a number of things."
Louis was the guest speaker for the luncheon event, which was held at the Ormond Beach Senior Center. In addition to his speech, the city provided live music by The Blue Notes band and a proclamation presented by Deputy Mayor Harold Briley.
He stressed the importance of honoring veterans from all walks of life, and points in time — including the homeless veterans in need, those battling post-traumatic stress disorder, and those serving time behind bars. Louis volunteers as a mentor in the Tomoka Correctional Institution.
"Regardless of the situation that you're in today, you served and we still always honor that," Louis said.
Veterans take the leadership when it's needed, he said. He called them "solution experts." That's what they gathered to celebrate.
"Solution experts all over this room, wearing different uniforms," Louis said. "But ultimately, regardless of the colors that are there, I only see red, white and blue."
