We would like to say ‘thank you’ to Harbor Freight for their generous donation that helped us purchase some tools for the department. For the second year in a row, Harbor Freight has shown us that they are about much more than just tools.

For the opportunities those tools represent — the projects, the builds, the problem solving, the creativity, and the connection they give us to others — we are forever grateful.

You've all heard the saying: April showers bring May flowers.

We're already halfway through the month of April, and while it hasn't been the wettest month we've ever experienced, we've still had a lot of severe weather over the past several weeks. And, with hurricane season a little more than a month away, it's always good to learn a few safety tips.

Today's safety tip is to remind motorists that hazard lights (flashers) should only be used if your vehicle is disabled in the roadway or on the shoulder. There is no need to use your flashers while driving in the rain. Using your emergency flashers at any other time while driving is actually against the law.

Flashing hazard lights can make it difficult for other drivers to see turn signals or brake lights, or cause them to think you are stopped or stalled in the roadway. Furthermore, a car that is actually stalled with lights flashing may get hit by a driver who doesn’t anticipate proper braking distance because they think the car is moving.

If you witness dangerous situations while driving, please contact the nearest Louisiana State Police Troop by dialing *LSP (*577).
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(This video was taken by a passenger. Please do not drive and take video!)

​We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Onda Templeton, Sr.

Onda was a school crossing guard and deputy with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office for many years, and at this time of year, he was usually getting ready to help keep everyone safe at our annual Choctaw Fireman’s Fair.

A dedicated family man, and a man of great wisdom, Onda’s sense of humor was also never lacking. He had that special grace, that grace that said ‘give me a challenge and I’ll meet it with joy’. He will be sadly missed and never forgotten.

We extend our condolences and sympathy to his family, friends, and everyone else who knew him.

Thomas Andras, Jr.
End of Watch: Thursday, 3 February 2022
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The seeds on good soil, the parable of the sower tells us, stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering, produce a crop. The seed on good soil. Thomas ‘Tommy’ Andras came from good soil.

And in this sturdy frame, goodness took root.

At a young age, Tommy joined the Louisiana National Guard and became a soldier to protect the liberties and rights of others. His commitment to public service and the needs and rights of others would never, ever waver. Tommy’s example, a son of parents who rose from life on Laurel Valley Plantation to carve out a little something in life, a public servant who toiled to guarantee that the least of us have the opportunities that we are entitled to, a leader who was once willing to die for his people, even as he lived every minute for them — his life validates the things we tell ourselves about what is possible in this country. Not guaranteed, but possible.

But rather, through our work, with our dedication, and our willingness to open our hearts to God’s message of love for all people, we can live a purposeful life. We can reap a bountiful harvest. We are neither sentenced to weather among the rocks nor assured a bounty, but we have a capacity, a chance, as individuals and as a nation, to root ourselves in good soil. Tommy understood that. That’s why he became a soldier. That’s why he embraced his beloved community of Choctaw. That’s why he went on to become a volunteer firefighter, for years protecting the lives and property of the people of the Choctaw community. He was never complacent, for he knew that without clarity of purpose and a steadfast faith, and a dogged faith, the promise of this nation and of our community would wither. Complacency, he knew, was not only corrosive for our collective lives, but for our individual lives.

It has been remarked that Tommy was a kind man. If I had children, I would want them to know how much I love them, but I would also want them to know that being a strong man includes being kind. That there is nothing weak about kindness and compassion. There is nothing weak about looking out for others. There is nothing weak about being honorable. You are not a sucker to have integrity and to treat others with respect.

I was sitting here tonight thinking about how we refer to judges and Congessmen and Senators as ‘honorable’ — you know, that is a title that we confer on all kinds of people who are public servants. We are supposed to introduce them as ‘honorable’. Tommy wasn’t a judge or a Congressman, but he was ‘honorable’ because of the life he lived. There’s a difference.

There is a difference if you were honorable and treated others honorably. Outside the limelight. Getting out of your bed at 2:30 in the morning to give so much to save someone’s life, or their home. People knew they could always count on Tommy to be honorable and do the right thing.

And people have talked about his voice. There was something about his voice. It just made you feel better. There’s some people, they have that deep baritone, a prophetic voice. And when it was good times and we achieved victories together, that voice and that sense of humor was a gift. But you needed it more during the tough times, when the path ahead looked crooked, when obstacles abounded. When we entertained doubts, or we saw those who were in the fight start to waver, that’s when Tommy’s voice mattered most.

Two hundred years to 300 years from now, people will look back at this moment in time and they will ask the question ‘What did you do’. And remembering Tommy’s legacy, we would be reminded that it falls upon each of us to always fight the good fight, to defend our nation and provide opportunity to everyone, and to always serve and take care of our community.

Tommy was a man of noble and good heart. His parents planted the seeds of hope, and love, and compassion, and righteousness in that good soil of his. He has harvested all the crops that he could, for the Lord has now called Tommy home, to give his humble, faithful servant rest. And it now falls on us to continue his work, so that other people from Choctaw, across Louisiana, across the United States, and around the world might too have a chance to grow and to flourish. That’s how we will honor him. That’s how we will remember him. That’s what he would hope for.

May God bless the memory of Thomas ‘Tommy’ Andras, Jr.

​— Kelsey J. Benoit

An appreciation banquet was held tonight at the Choctaw Volunteer Fire Department.

Department members were joined by board members of the Lafourche Parish Fire Protection District 8-B for a night of talking about accomplishments, dinner, and music.

Captain Gerald Andras Sr was recognized for his contributions to the department over the years, and especially over the past year. Gerald is always ready to serve by bringing apparatus to and from service appointments, running critical errands for the department, as well as for his hard work and dedication in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

Ms. Karlie Adams was also recognized for achieving an important milestone in the fire service; she received her Firefighter 1 certification from the Louisiana State University Fire and Emergency Training Institute.