With honor and dignity
GONZALES – In the office of Ascension Parish Assessor Mert Smiley, a very excited 90-year-old, Lucius Forsyth, waited to meet with Brian McNabb – representation of U.S. Sen. Dr. Bill Cassidy.
Surrounded by Smiley, State Rep. and former Gonzales Mayor Johnny Berthelot, along with his family, Forsyth received a copy of the Congressional record where his name is now mentioned for what is being called heroic service in WWII.
“On the floor of the Senate – the week of Veterans Day – [Cassidy] wanted to recognize you,” McNabb said as he presented the Congressional record to Forsyth.
The signed record includes a story of Forsyth that Sen. Cassidy shared on the Senate floor that day.
Smiley is credited with bringing Forsyth’s duties to the attention of Congress.
“I was very glad to hear your story,” Smiley said. “I’ve been knowing you all these years and I didn’t know that story, and so whenever I found out about it – I knew we needed to do something, and so I’m glad that I was a small part in having this done for you.
You are a great member of the community and we just love to do things like this for people who went above and beyond the call of duty.”
Forsyth thanked everyone before sharing a bit of his story.
“It’s hard to talk about – it brings back too many memories of what was done – things that we had to do,” Forsyth said. “I am proud that I had the chance to serve my country – I met a lot of men that I’ll never see again and I lost a lot of good friends.”
Forsyth also remarked on his accomplishments after the war, including starting his family. He has four children, eleven grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
“I’m proud to have lived this long,” he said.
Forsyth is active in his community where he attends the area’s senior citizen soc hops and still cuts his own grass.
“I want to thank you for your time and dedication,” Berthelot said.
Soon after, the room filled with laughter as good memories were shared.
“To receive such an honor like this makes me feel great,” Forsyth said.
