Post 77 hears report for bus service

RAYNE - During the December meeting of Arceneaux Post 77, American Legion, held at the Legion Home, two guests were welcomed to answered questions about the possible location of a bus stop at the Legion Home.
Laurie Suire of OneAcadia and Paul Casey of the Acadiana Planning Commission, were in attendance and answered a number of questions concerning the anticipated bus transit system planned to begin in March 2017 for Acadia Parish residents.
The service will provide  transportation for all Acadia Parish residents for travel to and from Lafayette as per bus service.
Suire and Casey discussed the location of two bus stop pavilions with benches located in front of the Legion Home (north and south shoulders of American Legion Drive) and the possiblity of parking in Post 77”s parking lot on the north facing of American Legion Drive. Also provided was information of transportation services that are already being provided for veterans to the new VA Clinic of Lafayette.
After much discussion and a question-and-answer session, Commander David Simon thanked Suire and Casey for providing the needed information of the transit program.
Additional discussion for parking (parking lot or street-side) will be heard during the next Legion officers’ meeting.
Veterans were informed the new Lafayette VA Clinic was now open and appointments were to begin soon. The new Lake Charles VA Clinic was set to open within the next quarter.
Regarding transportation to the new Veterans Administration Hospital that is now operable in Lafayette on Ambassador Caffery Boulevard, Acadia Council on Aging will transport any adult resident of Acadia Parish to that location, in addition to any hospital in Lafayette.
The service is offered regardless of disability/non-disabled status or age for doctor appointments and check-ups at any time on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. The service picks up and drops off in front of any address in Acadia Parish and drops off and picks up at the entrance to all hospitals in Lafayette.
The phone number to call to arrange a ride is 788-1232.
Legionnaires were reminded of the annual Christmas Party held every December at the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jennings. Post 77 and Unit 77 will make their usual donations, along with cash prizes for the Bingo games enjoyed by the residents. Donations will also be accepted for this event, as well.
Commander Simon also announced the recent donation of $3,000 to the War Veterans Home in Jennings to be used for the extension of the patio area.
A reminder was given to the membership of the upcoming  2017 Winter Conference Jan. 20-22 in Alexandria.
Membership Chairman Ray Olinger submitted the membership count at 149 paid dues for the local membership.
Sick call was announced, along with a list of upcoming entertainment and events. Commander Simon also noted a large attendance to recent events.
For the memorial report, Harris Schexnayder was the lone veteran who had passed on since the previous Legion meeting.
Information for the annual Law Enforcement, Young Fireman and Educator of the Year honors was given by John Quebodeaux, who contacted all local and area locations urging all program chairmen to participate in nominating honorees.
With no additional business, the meeting was adjourned and a delicious meal was served by the Legion cooks.