Veterans Spotlight

By: TONY MARKS
Editor

VILLE PLATTE - As the Veterans Day holiday nears, Sergeant First Class (retired) James Louis “LG” Poullard is remembered, who passed away earlier this year, at the age of 86.
SFC Poullard, according to his obituary, was born on March 12, 1938, to Onezime and Eula Pitre Poullard, the last of 12 children, in Ville Platte. He entered active duty military service on June 26, 1962, and served faithfully until June 26, 1992, for a total of 30 years. He served as an infantryman, an armor reconnaissance specialist, and a drill sergeant at various posts throughout the United States with his last duty station being US Army Reserve Center in St. Louis, Mo.
SFC Poullard received many awards during his military service including the Vietnam War Campaign Ribbon, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, and numerous others.
After his military service, SFC Poullard worked for Boise-Cascade Company and was the warden at the Evangeline Parish jail for numerous years.
He departed this earthly life on Wednesday, January 15, at Bayou Chateau Nursing Home in Simmesport, after a lengthy illness.
Celebrating his life are his children, Fabian R. (Margaret) Poullard, of Ville Platte, and Jackie Thigpen, of Hitchcock, Texas; his grandchildren, Mercedes Thigpen, of Hitchcock, Texas, Ebony Thigpen, of Houston, Texas, Adney Thomas, of Ville Platte, Fabian C. Poullard, of Prairieville, Paige (India) Poullard, of Lafayette, and Jada Poullard, of Ville Platte; his great-grandchildren, Kamri Mays and Devane Salters, both of Houston, Texas, and James Ambrose Scott Poullard, of Prairieville; his godchild, Wendy Jack; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
SFC Poullard is preceded in death by his parents, Onezime and Eula Poullard; his daughter, Roslyn Poullard; his grandson, Craig Thigpen; five sisters, Evelyn Poullard, Waverly Thomas, Louise Bellard, Loula Mae Jackson, and Ethel Edwards; and six brothers, Hazely Poullard, Horace Poullard, Rodney Poullard, Ewell Poullard, Bertness Poullard, and Elmond Poullard.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 25, at 10 a.m. at Owens-Thomas Funeral Home. Interment was held on Monday, January 27, at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, in Jennings.