Devotional candles with photos of those killed during a New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans sit in front of a memorial site on Bourbon Street on Jan. 4, 2025. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)
Over the past week, our newscasts have been flooded with reports from the unfathomable terror attack on Bourbon Street in our beloved New Orleans. I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who we lost, and prayers for continued recovery for all who were injured. I’m thankful for the resilience of Louisianians, and for Gov. Landry’s leadership to ensure we are safe once again.
I cannot be the only person who has felt a bevy of emotions. I remain angered, not only about the tragedy itself, but the fact that Jabbar’s military service has become an unfortunate focal point in some media reports, casting a negative light on the veteran community. Our veterans and current military service members took an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
It’s hard to fathom that a man who took this oath, could himself become a domestic terrorist. Make no mistake, his actions were his own and are completely inconsistent with the values and ideals of those who served.
Veterans do not stop serving after separating from the military. They contribute to the economic and social well-being of their communities, bringing the mentality of service above oneself to the very places they call home. They bring federal VA dollars through their earned benefits; they become entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities for fellow veterans; and they create a culture of patriotism, binding together Louisianians by their public-facing love of country.
Our veterans are a brother- and sisterhood who stick together and lean on each other in times of trouble. It’s an honor to represent Louisiana’s more than 261,000 veterans and their families, assuring them that they can depend on the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. We’re fortunate to be able to work with local, state and federal partners to provide the necessary resources for our veterans.
If you are a veteran in need of assistance, please reach out to us at 225.219.5000 or veteran@la.gov. Thank you for your service, and may God bless our great state.
Col. Secretary Charlton J. Meginley
Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs