Hammond Regional Arts Center hosts exhibits honoring Louisiana’s veterans
Sergeant Willie Bader, a WWII veteran from Tangipahoa Parish enjoys the exhibit at Hammond Regional Arts Center.
The Hammond Regional Arts Center opened WWII exhibits on May 6 titled “The Pelican State Goes to War” and “ The Service: A Salute to the U.S Military.” These exhibits showcase the efforts of Louisiana’s veterans in the second World War.
The Pelican State Goes to War” features many historic artifacts from Louisiana’s soldiers and citizens who assisted in the war. This included flight jackets, hard hats, flight goggles, a variety of uniforms and much more.
“The Service: A Salute to the U.S. Military” is held upstairs in the Arts Center. While the main exhibit consists of pieces of Louisiana’s history during the war, this display presents local photography and other artifacts to honor the men and women in the United States Military.
Included in these local pieces is a photograph of Sergeant Willie Bader, who attended the exhibit. Bader is from Tangipahoa Parish and a hero of the Battle of the Bulge. He recently had his 99th birthday in April. He also was a teacher and coach in the parish.
“We invite people to come in and pay tribute to military service men and women from this area and also this is a center for people to enjoy and engage in the arts. So we are encouraging people to remember how the arts play a role in historic preservation,” Executive Director Melissa Griffin said.
The exhibits will be on display in the Mezzanine Gallery until June 17. For more information on the HRAC, click here.
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Cade Roland is a Finance major from Lafayette, LA. He joined the Lion's Roar in February of 2022. He graduated from Early College Academy in 2021. Outside...
Darryl Andrews • May 18, 2022 at 10:34 am
I read your article from The Lion’s Roar titled “Hammond Regional Arts Center hosts exhibits honoring Louisiana’s veterans”. You had a photo of Willie Bader who fought in WWIII. If you have any way to contact him or his family, please inform them that he is eligible to receive the French Legion of Honor medal for his service in France. It is the highest civilian award given by France but it can only be awarded to someone who is still living. I have applied for the medal on the behalf of two veterans based on their service and both were awarded the medal. One of those was a black veteran from Baton Rouge named Johnnie Jones who was and attorney and civil rights leader. He was awarded the medal at age 100 years old at the French Consulate in New Orleans. He died last month at the age of 102 years. Mr. Bader was a member of the 2nd Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division and if he was in Company E then he would also be due a Distinguished Unit Citation as well as the French Croix de Guerre medal.
I believe that each of our veterans deserves to receive all of the medals and awards that they are due. Some medals were awarded after the war ended and the veterans were never notified about them. After researching my father’s service history I found out that he was due several additional medals that were not listed on his discharge papers. I have applied to have the WWII medals replaced for five or six veterans.
I can provide info to Mr. Bader or someone in his family about applying for the LOH medal. How ever it must be done while he is still living.
Darryl G. Andrews
Livingston, LA
Lorraine Peppo • May 19, 2022 at 9:36 am The Lion's Roar Pick
Hi Darryl,
Thank you for reaching out to The Lion’s Roar. We’ve provided your contact information to Sergeant Bader’s son and he is interested in connecting with you. Please email [email protected] for further information.