Formal Dedication: Friday, April 25th. 11AM
Here We Mark The Price of Freedom
Honoring Her Father
Mary Ann was six months old when her father, Jules Haydel lost his life fighting in Belgium. On Tuesday, October 22, she along with her daughter Shelly (Jules' granddaughter) visited his Memorial Panel at Harahan's Park of Heroes.
Honoring Her Uncle
Judy was 1 year old when she last saw her Uncle. 17 months later, Jacob Knipper lost his life in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Kiribati. On Thursday, October 24th she visited his Memorial Panel at Harahan's Park of Heroes.
Family Visits Nobuyoshi Sudo Peace Garden
Sudo Family
We tried to create a sacred place to remember the life of Harahan resident Nobuyoshi "William" Sudo who, after Pearl Harbor, was separated from his family and died in an internment camp of complications from severe asthma. He never saw them again. William was one of ~180,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry to be interned during the war.
Support for Sudo
Despite the FBI recommendation of paroling Sudo and a letter of support from Harahan Mayor Frank Mayo, the Department of Justice still sent William away. His American wife and two boys were allowed to stay in Harahan as well. Ironically, his oldest son, Nile served in the US Army Transportation Corps during World War II - including at least two tours in the Pacific while his father was in an internment camp.
Ceremony Honoring Philip Zeringue
Honoring Philip J. Zeringue
Arlington Cemetery is a sacred place
Visiting with the "Old Guard"
The U.S. Army 3rd Regiment has guarded the Tomb 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for nearly 87 straight years. They change the guard every hour - in rain, sleet, snow and heat. We were honored to be invited into their barracks room after our ceremony.
Army/Navy Club Reception
Anna Schneider, VW North America and Mayor Tim Baudier
VW North America was one of 14 private sector corporations or NGOs that attended or sponsored the unveiling reception at the Army-Navy Club
General Frank Grӓf and Mayor Baudier
The German Embassy in Washington, D.C. has been a major supporter of Harahan's efforts to revitalize Zeringue Park. General Grӓf and Admiral James Loy, Ret. USCG Commandant served as Guests of Honor
Visit to Embassy of Japan
Presentation to Embassy of Japan Cultural Affairs
Mayor Baudier made a presentation laying out his vision for the revitalization of Zeringue Park to the Division of Cultural Affairs - Yusuke Nakayama and Fuhimo Suwaza at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.. Our vision includes honoring our fallen heroes and also reflecting how far we have come as humans and as a nation.
Today, Japan is currently one of the largest trading partners with Louisiana and invests more in the state at a greater proportion than they do in California and Texas.
Japanese Magnolias / Sister City Program
80 years after the most violent struggle in mankind's history, the United States and Japan are now the closets of allies and friends. In a gesture of kindness and reflection, the Japanese government is looking to participate in our revitalization plans which could include donating Japanese magnolias and assisting with finding a Sister City/Friendship City partner in Japan.
Freedom and Peace
Freedom Over Oppression
The Berlin Wall stood between 1961 to 1989, and came to symbolize the ‘Iron Curtain’ – the ideological split between East and West – that existed across Europe and between the two superpowers, the US and the Soviet Union, and particularly, Germany, during the Cold War. Approximately 350 Germans lost their lives trying to escape Communism.
Working with the German Government, Harahan will secure a section of the Wall as a reminder of how valuable our freedoms are - that Freedom isn't free. This will stand at the Wilson and Oak entrance to the park
It will be the only section of the Berlin Wall in the State of Louisiana.
Symbol of Peace
There are 51 monuments surrounding the Peace Park in Nagasaki, Japan. Many are of children who represent the most innocent victims of war. This bronze statue depicts a young girl of the Shiroyama Elementary School - which was at the hypocenter of the atomic bomb, releasing a dove of peace.
Working with the Japanese government, Harahan will secure a replica of "That Summer Day" statue as a reminder that all humans - both young and old alike suffer from the horrors of war. This will stand as an evocation of world peace at the main entrance to our new playground area at the corner of Camden and Oak.
Harahan is also seeking a Sister City in the Nagasaki region to develop cultural and educational exchanges; primarily for our schools - Harahan Elementary, St. Rita School and Faith Lutheran School.
Park of Heroes Benefactors
Park of Heroes Contributors
Park of Heroes Supporters
The City of Harahan is very honored to have been chosen as the second location of this travelling exhibit. Proving once again that Small Towns CAN Do Big Things!
The exhibit will be on display at the Harahan Library – the oldest library in Jefferson Parish starting May 5th until May 30th, 2025.
Address: 219 Soniat Ave., Harahan, LA
Admission is FREE and open to the public.