Phi Delta Kappa Sorority hosts veteran appreciation program

SHREVEPORT, La. ( KTAL/KMSS ) – The Beta Alpha Chapter of the National Phi Delta Kappa Sorority held their veterans' appreciation program.

The program recognized the military husbands of the sorority's sisters.

"Veterans have served this county and they are the reason for our freedom. They put their lives on the line every day for us, and if there's a group that we should recognize, it's a veteran, they keep us safe," said Margaret Thomas, chairwoman for the veterans' program with the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Beta Alpha Chapter.

Veterans were honored with a medal and a certificate of appreciation.

Commissioner Ronald L. Cothran, for Caddo Parish District 10 was a recipient, serving 23 years in the military, moving from aviation to medical to retiring as a Sergeant Major.

"Anytime that you're honored, people do not have to do that. And the thing is anytime that somebody takes the time out to recognize and honor you, you should be not only appreciative but also think about the time and the effort that it took them to actually go through the process of getting it together," said Cothran.

The Commissioner spoke and honored fellow veterans, including Vietnam Navy Veteran Garfield Johnson Jr.

Johnson Jr. joined the service in 1965 and says the experience made a man out of him. He was not able to get a college scholarship, so he joined the military.

"It was a different thing for me as being a person of color going into service, but the only thing you could do is try to do the best you could to get advanced in anything that you wanted to do," said Johnson.

Commissioner Cothran said it was an honor to be in attendance and ended the program with a message.

"Anytime that you see a soldier, be it active, or should I say, service member or retired, or veteran, please let them know you thank them for what they've done for this country."

Cothran also said this is the greatest country in the world.