American Legion Post 98 installs officers

Peter Silas Pasqua
Augustin Luna accepts the gavel as commander of Babin - Haynes Post 98 American Legion from past department commander Raymond Walters during the annual installation of officers at the post Tuesday night.

Augustin Luna was reinstalled as the commander of the American Legion Babin - Haynes Post 98 during their annual installation of officers banquet at the post in Donaldsonville last Tuesday.

The American Legion Auxiliary Post 98 3766 also installed its officers at the banquet.

This is the first year Luna has served as commander. The Korean War ground combat veteran served in 1950-51 and is a retired railroad supervisor.

"We will do some work around here if I got to do it by myself," Luna said. "I am a working commander."

In presenting the gavel to Luna, past department commander Raymond Walters said all serve as equals. 

"You are entrusted with the supervision of the duties of all the officers of this post," Walters said. "The responsibility of the year's programs is on your shoulders."

Babin - Haynes Post 98 officers installed in addition to Luna were Philip Guidry, 1st vice commander; Charles J. Breaux Jr., 2nd vice commander; Nolan LeBlanc Sr., adjutant; Clarence J. Brimmer Sr., finance officer; Lawrence Landry Jr., post service officer; Raymond Carbo, chaplain; Virgil Joffrion, sergeant at arms; Manuel Oubre, historian and Raphael Juneau, judge advocate. 

Auxiliary officers of Post 98 installed were Mabel Ourso, president; Mae Dugas, 1st vice president; Anna Lee Gautreau, 2nd vice president; Judy LeBlanc, secretary; Dot Nettles, treasurer; Ruby Causin, historian and Virgie LeBlanc, sergeant at arms. 

The installation of officers was performed by Barbara LeJeune.

In attendance were Donaldsonville mayor Leroy Sullivan, Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez, Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office Maj. Bobby Webre, Donaldsonville city councilman Charles Brown, Raymond Aucoin and Emile Spano, Ascension Parish recreation director Sherry Kinchen and Donaldsonville Downtown Development District director John Rodgers.   

Martinez, the co-guest speaker, spoke about American Legion baseball and negotiations to donate Louisiana Square to the city of Donaldsonville.

Webre, co-guest speaker, spoke about the Ascension Parish Jail expansion and the upcoming sheriff sponsored field trip to the U.S.S. Kidd.

Officers installed include from left, bottom, Manuel Oubre, Nolan LeBlanc Sr., Augustin Luna, Virgil Joffrion and Clarence Brimmer. Top, Charles J. Breaux Jr., Phillip Guidry, Raymond Walters, Raymond Carbo, Stanley Francis , Raphael Juneau and Lawrence Landry Jr.