Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery pays final respects to four local Veterans

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery laid to rest four Veterans at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2 who had no known living family members.

U.S. Navy Seaman Leon Alphonse Brayman served for almost two years during the Vietnam War, U.S. Army Spc. Hal Dwight Hofland served for over two years during the Vietnam War, U.S. Army Cpl. Whitney Moses served for two years during the Korean War, and U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Leonard Smith served for almost two years during the Vietnam War. All four Veterans have no known living relatives.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs asked the public to be there to help honor their lives and render their final salutes.

“The LDVA has gotten and answered the call to honor Louisiana Veterans with no known family numerous times in the past two years,” says LDVA Secretary Joey Strickland. “We have worked with a local non-profit that helped cover the cost of the body preparation, worked with coroners across the state to identify Veterans in their morgues, and now have funds to help us cover these costs so all Louisiana Veterans can be given the military honors they deserve and be put to rest at one of our four Veterans cemeteries.”

The Jefferson Parish Coroners’ Office and A. Wesley Funeral Home in Maringouin, Louisiana donated their services so these Veterans could receive the military burials they earned.

Alejandra “Alex” Juan serves as both the communications director and State Women Veterans Outreach coordinator for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. She and her husband are both Air Force Veterans and the proud parents of two sons, Nick and Noah.