Veterans from Zachary and surrounding communities were honored at the historic Zachary Depot on Sunday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.

The City of Zachary celebrated the special day with a flag-raising ceremony that hoisted 10 flags, which have flown over the city for the past 515 years, as well as a new City of Zachary flag.

Veterans from the community, including the Zachary Fire and Police Department, assisted in raising the flags.

The event was sponsored by the Zachary Historic District and the Zachary Historical Association and saluted Veterans both past and present.

Tom Burbank, Undersecretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, and Rex Kern, director of Port Hudson National Cemetery and the new Louisiana National Cemetery, were the guest speakers for the event.

Kern, a Zachary resident, is responsible for burial, maintenance and administrative operations at both facilities as well as at Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Natchez National Cemeteries.

Kern recognized Veterans in attendance from all branches of the military. "Who here is a Veteran? You have all made blank checks out to the United States of America redeemable for any amount, including your life itself," Kern said. "Today we honor Veterans past and present, as well as their mothers, the stay-at-home dads of wives and children of those in the military."

Kern, a Veteran himself, also paused to remember those currently serving overseas. "Thank a Vet today for the freedoms which you enjoy," Kern urged.

A Caledonian bagpipe and drum performance, as well as a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner", sung by Tess Ricketts, were enjoyed by those who attended the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Master of Ceremonies Tommy Womack, a Zachary City Councilman and Veteran, addressed the crowd, as did Mayor David Amrhein. Both thanked all Veterans in attendance for their sacrifices.

Three Veterans who are current members of the Choctaw Detachment #778 in Baton Rouge - Vick Beverson (Pride), Ernest Watson (Baker) and Richard White (Central) - carried and raised the American Flag at the end of the ceremony.

Veteran and Civil War re-enactor from the 10th Brigade of the Louisiana State Militia, Randy Jarreau, fired a black powder musket after all 11 flags were raised.

Flags raised included the Fleur de Lis flag from France, the Union Jack, La. State flag, Stars and Bars Confederate flag, the American flag and the City of Zachary flag, among others.