| Post 174 Newellton Holds Valentine's Day 2010 Gathering |
Veterans and Guests Celebrate Valentine's Day at American Legion Post 174 Gathering
Members of Newellton Post 174 and guests were treated to a most enjoyable time at their meeting held on February 1 to celebrate Valentine's Day 2010, as reported by Post 174 Commander Bill Stroud. Guest speaker was Bob Barfield who entertained the guests with stories of Valentine's Day "the way it used to be". He told the group a story about himself and his sweetheart in the days when you carried "tow sacks" to help you get your vehicle out of the mud. It seems that he indeed found himself in such a situation and used his trusty tow sack, only to later discover it was his lady's coat!
His stories of his memories such as this one had his audience laughing all during his talk, Bill Stroud stated. He also said that Bob Barfield has kept them in tears from laughing so hard on many occasions.
Commander Stroud mentioned that Mrs. Linda Hollis, wife of veteran David Hollis of Ferriday,decorated the American Legion Post 174 hall in the lovely Valentine theme. The Post provided the main course from the meal that was served and the ladies brought the side dishes.
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Little Baylee Regan "wowed" the group attending the celebration with her singing performance. The daughter of Pat and Kathy Regan, Baylee has been singing since she could talk and has been taking voice lessons since she was four years old. Baylee loves her pets and is a very active nine-year-old. As Commander Bill Stroud said, she is a real sweetheart and very talented!
She sings one to three concerts a week at nursing homes, churches, festivals, rodeos, luncheons, weddings, business meetings, and clubs such as Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus. She sings for the American Legion on a regular basis and also sings for the Aviation Museum, veterans' homes, plus many more. She has entered pageants and won Cover Girl and always won First Place in Talent every year she entered. Baylee plays the violin and piano but singing is her first love. She has promised to return to Post 174 for an encore performance sometime in July.
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Special guest of the evening was Lt. Hilton T. Lytle of Monroe who is the grandfather of Baylee Regan. It was noted that Mr. Lytle also plays violin and piano. Mr. Lytle, now 87, wore the Louisiana Veteran's Honor Medal proudly during the evening. The Louisiana Honor Medal is presented personally by Governor Jindal to each Louisiana veteran (both living and deceased) in all branches of service who has served their country honorably and is given on behalf of the grateful citizens of our great state of Louisiana.
Mr. Lytle was born in Zenoria, Louisiana on November 19,1922. He enlisted in June of 1940 and served with the US Army, 13th Coast Artillery, 69th Infantry Division, American and European Theatre and was discharged in August of 1945. Mr. Lytle was awarded the Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf for his service to his country, part of which included the Battle of the Bulge.
Hilton Lytle has graciously shared some of his experiences from his war days in the military in written form. Since his memoir is several pages long, we have posted them below in a PDF format so that no details or his words would be left out. You can read and/or print a copy of his memoirs by clicking on the link shown below.
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