On this day in history, July 23, 1885, former U.S. President and Civil War hero Ulysses S. Grant died of throat cancer at the age of 63. His death, though anticipated after a long illness, sent shockwaves through the nation. But what many may not realize is that this solemn moment in American history also gave rise to a peculiar and lesser-known “first”—a form of medical documentation that some now jokingly refer to as the world’s first “autopsy selfie.”

Dr. Shrady, Grant’s attending physician, was so determined to document the president’s final moments and the ravages of his disease that he invited an artist to sketch Grant on his deathbed and post-mortem. The results were a series of drawings that eerily resemble today’s obsession with visual documentation—even at life’s end. One image in particular, now housed at the Library of Congress, shows Grant shortly after his death, surrounded by pillows, bathed in natural light, with careful anatomical precision. It was neither macabre nor exploitative in its original intent—it was, for its time, an act of reverent scientific observation. Still, the image caused a stir when it was later reproduced in newspapers and medical journals, igniting early debate on the ethics of photographing or illustrating the deceased.

This moment, strange and morbid as it may seem by today’s standards, symbolized the late 19th century’s fascination with both death and progress. Photography was in its infancy, and deathbed portraits—both drawn and photographed—were not uncommon in Victorian households. But the Grant drawings were among the first examples of a public figure’s death being medically documented for educational purposes and public consumption. They bridged art, medicine, journalism, and a growing national obsession with hero worship and mourning.

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President Grant’s funeral itself was a monumental event. Over 1.5 million people lined the streets of New York City for the largest funeral procession in the country’s history at the time. His body was placed in a temporary tomb in Riverside Park until the construction of his mausoleum—now known as Grant’s Tomb—was completed in 1897. The illustrations created immediately after his death, however, remain a strangely intimate piece of the historical record, tucked between heroism and humanity.

While historians have long noted the significance of Grant’s military campaigns and presidency during Reconstruction, the strange side note of his post-mortem portraits remains a curious footnote—a Victorian precursor to today’s digital oversharing and visual documentation of every stage of life (and death).

In retrospect, the drawing of Grant on July 23, 1885, may not have been a “selfie” in the modern sense, but it represents one of the earliest known instances where a personal and scientific image of a death became part of public record. It was a moment when mourning, medicine, and media collided—and a strangely appropriate reflection of a man whose life was lived so publicly, from the battlefields of the Civil War to the highest office in the land.

So while July 23 marks the death of one of America’s most revered figures, it also quietly marks the birth of a new way of recording history: not just through words and monuments, but through visual moments frozen in time—no matter how private or strange.

Allen Dale Shaffer
No Service Information Listed

Samuel Bruce Watson Jr.
No Service Information Listed

Daughtry Lane McComic
Services Held On July 19

Rita Rae Brown
Arrangements TBA

Dennis H. Wilson
Service: Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 2 pm at Jeane’s Funeral Service in Leesville

Ted Ayres McKee
Service: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 10 am at Jeane’s Funeral Service

Merida Neal Holton
Service: Saturday, July 26 at 11 AM at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville

Preston Gerald Boyd
Service: Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery near Fort Polk

Bessie Lee Bennett
Service: Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 10 am at Pine Island Cemetery in Simpson

Vernon Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or vpjnewsla@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to vpjnewsla@gmail.com).

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Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

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Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft announced the July 14 arrest of Zeth Thompson, age 42 of Pitkin.

The arrest is the result of an investigation that took place after VPSO was notified that a 40 year old female suffering from a gun shot wound had presented at approximately 6 a.m. to the emergency room in Oakdale by private vehicle.

Deputies and Detectives executed a search warrant at a residence where the incident occurred in the area of Claude Maricle Road.

During the course of the investigation Detectives conducted an interview with both the victim and Zeth Thompson.

Thompson indicated that he and his girlfriend heard a noise outside of his residence between 4-5 a.m. and the two went to investigate the noise.

Thompson then armed himself and advised his girlfriend to return to the house while he scouted the area for a prowler.

Thompson stated that while canvassing the area he observed a ‘silhouette’ and intentionally fired a shot gun in that direction with the intent to injure or kill the intruder.

After the fact, Thompson discovered that he had in fact shot his girlfriend causing significant injuries to her person.

Thompson was arrested and charged with one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Bond has not been set and Thompson remains in the VPSO jail.

The victim has been transferred to a medical facility in Rapides Parish for additional treatment and is listed in stable condition.

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By Rickey Robertson

Beginning in the 1870’s a new mode of transportation in America came into being. Railroad lines crossed the nation and both passengers and freight could be carried on both passenger and freight trains. One of the railroad lines that came through Louisiana was the Kansas City Southern Line that came from Kansas City, Missouri down to Lake Charles, La. and along southeast toward New Orleans, La. and west to Port Arthur, Texas. Up and down the KCS line were many depot’s in both large towns, small towns, and just small communities. These depots were known as “rail stops” and passengers could either board the train or disembark at the depot and freight could be received or shipped from these deports. One such depot was located at Sandel, La. in Sabine Parish, La.

Sandel was a small community that was located about 4 ½ miles south of Florien, La. on US Hwy. 171 South. The little community was named after the Sandel Family that lived there. The Kansas City Southern line ran right through Sandel and a depot was located there. When the sawmill town of Peason was built and the Peavy Wilson Lumber Company Mill was established in 1917 the Christie and Eastern Railroad was a spur off the KCS line and it went all the way to Peason. The rail line was vital for the Peason Mill since it allowed timber and all types of lumber products to be shipped throughout the United States. As the mill began a full production run, loads of lumber of all types were shipped on the Christie and Eastern to the KCS and it eventually ended up in San Francisco, California. In 1906 San Francisco had been ravaged by a fire and earthquake. The terrible fire was caused by the earthquake that ruptured gas mains that caused the fire, and water mains were broken and damaged and a large portion of the town was destroyed. But the reconstruction began and lumber from Peason held reconstruct and also build complete new buildings. And many of those buildings still stand to this day!

The Sandel Depot was a fine building that was on the west side of the KCS tracks. Passengers could get off the train here and freight could be unloaded or loaded onto the train for shipment. Coming from Peason each morning and afternoon was the “Toonerville Trolley.” The trolley, a 1919 Ford Model T with railway wheels, had bench seats for the passengers and it towed a Sheffield flatcar that had been converted to carry both excess passengers and freight and mail to and from the mill town of Peason. The trip to Peason from the Sandel Depot was about 10 miles on the Christie and Eastern Line.

The Sandel Depot was a large wooden building that even had some upstairs storage, and for the passengers convenience, an outside “water closet” or as country folks say, an outside toilet. Around the depot, water closet, and small outbuildings there were white rock walkways. Several people worked at the depot, including the station master, and several workers who assisted with the freight loading and unloading, along with assisting the passengers.

As all the timber was harvested the mill run at Peason came to an end in 1935. Most of the timber had been cut by 1934 and it took until 1935 for all this timber to be cut into lumber and shipped to buyers.

When the mill whistle blew for the last time in 1935 the mill closed and was later shipped to Holopaw, Florida where it ran until 1947. But with the mill closed the Christie and Eastern Railroad ended its operation from Peason to Sandel, La. and was abandoned. Since the Sandel Depot was a “junction point” with the Christie and Eastern Railroad, after the mill closed it only became a “standalone depot” where only passengers for the Sandel area were loaded or unloaded and very little freight was received. In the KCS archives the depot may have sat along the KCS line until the mid to late 1950’s. But the little community of Sandel, La. once had a thriving rail depot located there.

Sadly nothing remains of the depot but it was part of the large timber harvesting conducted in this area from the early 1900’s until the mid 1930’s when many of the mills closed. Many thanks to the KCS Archives and most of all the Southern heritage Museum at Lonfleaf, La. for the assistance and the use of photographs of the Sandel Depot.

The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Johnson will temporarily close several training areas from July 20 through July 24 to conduct a scheduled Live Fire training event.

According to base officials, the areas marked in red on the official training map will be off-limits from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily during the exercise. The closure is necessary to ensure safety during the operation and applies to all personnel, including contractors, support agencies, and recreational users.

Range Operations will not authorize any access to the restricted areas during this period, and residents and personnel are urged not to circumvent posted barriers.

Any agencies with ongoing projects, contracts, or planned activities within the affected zones are asked to make alternate arrangements until the training is complete.

For questions or additional information, contact Range Operations at 726-780-1007 or 726-780-0512.

While the temperatures outside soar, the spirit of the holidays is cooling things down at the Leesville Event Center with a festive and family-friendly celebration: Christmas in July, happening Friday and Saturday, July 18–19.

The two-day indoor event promises fun for all ages, blending classic holiday magic with a summery twist. From ice skating and inflatables to karaoke and crafts, visitors can enjoy dozens of activities under one roof—no snow required.

The highlight of the weekend? A visit from Santa Claus himself, who’s traded his sleigh for a pickup truck and his winter coat for a T-shirt as he vacations in the South. Santa will be available 1–7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday to visit with children, pose for free keepsake photos, and hand out official “Nice List” certificates to those who’ve been on their best behavior.

The event is made possible through support from VFW Old Stage Post #3106.

🎄 Festive Fun Highlights

Indoor Ice Skating
Attendees can beat the heat on the ice with 45-minute skating sessions that begin at the top of each hour.
Tickets are available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis:

• Adults: $10

• Ages 5–12: $8

Karaoke Corner
Grab the mic and sing your heart out—holiday favorites, pop hits, and everything in between. Rumor has it, Santa might even join for a duet or two.

Vendor Market
Over 30 local vendors will showcase handmade crafts, unique gifts, and delicious treats. Booths will be located throughout the main room, hallways, and even the parking lot—visitors are encouraged to explore every nook.

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Free Activities for Kids & Families

Bounce House Bonanza: Inflatable fun for the little ones.

Temporary Tattoos: Festive designs, fast and free.

Christmas Movie Lounge: Cool down with free popcorn and lemonade while kids enjoy classic holiday films.

Color & Connect Station: A cozy creative corner with Christmas-themed coloring pages and letter writing to Santa.

Christmas-In-July Photo Prop: A child-sized photo station perfect for holiday keepsake snapshots.

Storytime with Ms. Nancy
Presented by the Vernon Parish Library, this magical story hour will bring snowy tales and twinkling lights to life.

Friday: 4–4:45 p.m.

Saturday: 11–11:30 a.m. & 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Free Refreshments
Santa’s favorite warm-weather treat—lemonade—will be served alongside popcorn for guests to enjoy while taking in the festivities.

Whether you’re looking to knock out some early holiday shopping, entertain the kids, or get your name on the Nice List, Christmas in July at the Leesville Event Center is a must-visit celebration. Doors are open from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day, with fun, laughter, and holiday cheer waiting inside.

Louisiana workers who rely on tips will see meaningful tax relief starting this year, thanks to a newly enacted federal law that exempts a portion of their tip income from taxation. The “No Tax on Tips” provision, part of the broader One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law on July 4, officially became federal law as Public Law 119-21—and Louisiana is among the states embracing it without additional legislative hurdles.

The new law allows employees and self-employed individuals in tip-based occupations to deduct up to $25,000 annually in qualified tips from their taxable income. The deduction applies to voluntary tips received in cash, by card, or through tip-sharing arrangements, and must be reported through standard IRS channels such as Form W-2, Form 1099, or Form 4137 for unreported tips.

Waitstaff, bartenders, hair stylists, delivery drivers, casino workers, and others in traditionally tipped professions stand to benefit the most. To qualify, the occupation must have been recognized by the IRS as regularly receiving tips by the end of 2024.

Self-employed individuals can also take the deduction, though it is capped at their net income from the relevant trade or business, before accounting for the tip deduction.

The full deduction is available to individuals earning less than $150,000 in modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), or $300,000 for married couples filing jointly. Above these thresholds, the deduction phases out.

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Because Louisiana’s income tax system largely conforms to federal adjusted gross income, most workers in the state will automatically see the benefit of this deduction reflected on their state returns as well—without needing to complete separate calculations or forms. That’s welcome news in a state where service industries play a major role in the economy, particularly in hospitality hubs like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Natchitoches.

The deduction takes effect for tax year 2025 and will remain in place through 2028, barring further congressional action. The IRS is expected to release updated instructions and guidance before the end of the year.

In the meantime, tip earners are encouraged to continue accurate recordkeeping and reporting. The deduction doesn’t eliminate reporting requirements—only the tax burden on qualifying amounts.

For service workers across Louisiana, especially those juggling fluctuating incomes and long shifts, the “No Tax on Tips” provision offers more than just savings—it’s a nod to the essential roles they play in the state’s economy.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is urging residents to prepare for potential heavy rain and flash flooding as weather system Invest 93-L continues developing. There is a significant chance 93-L will develop into a tropical depression and impact Louisiana.

“Residents should stay informed and take necessary precautions including protecting your property by clearing gutters and storm drains, securing valuables and having an emergency plan in place,” Commissioner Temple said. “Be Insurance Ready by reviewing your homeowners and flood polices now, discussing potential out-of-pocket costs with your agent and keeping your insurance information handy in case you need to file a claim.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) offers the following tips to prepare for the heavy rain:

Be Insurance Ready

Homeowners insurance named storm (or hurricane) deductibles are typically 2% to 5% of your insured value. For example, if your home has an insured value of $200,000 with a 5% hurricane deductible, you will pay $10,000 out of pocket before insurance coverage takes effect. Details about these deductibles are listed on your policy declarations page.

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Prepare Your Property

Build an emergency kit and consider purchasing materials to board up your windows and make temporary repairs to your home in the event you take on damage. Trim trees around your home and secure loose outdoor items like patio furniture to prevent damage from broken branches and flying debris. Use your phone to take pictures of your property and belongings, including information like brand name and serial number. Having a record of your possessions will make the claims process easier in the event of property damage or loss. The NAIC Home Inventory App makes this easy and is available in the App Store and Google Play.

Make an Evacuation Plan

Have copies of your insurance policies and your agent’s contact information ready to go in case of an emergency evacuation. This will enable you to start the claims process as soon as possible if your home is damaged in the storm. Learn how to prepare an evacuation route and more at getagameplan.org.

Filing a Claim

If your insured property is damaged during the storm, contact your insurer first to file a claim. If possible, have your policy number and an initial assessment of the damage ready, and make sure your insurance company knows how to contact you. Take photos of the damage before cleaning up, and don’t throw away damaged items. You have an obligation to mitigate further damage by making temporary repairs like putting a tarp over a damaged roof or boarding up a broken window. Keep your receipts for these expenses.

Residents in Vernon Parish and across west-central Louisiana should prepare for the possibility of significant rainfall over the next several days as a tropical disturbance moves into the Gulf and tracks westward.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Lake Charles, the storm system is expected to bring widespread rain beginning Thursday and continuing through Saturday. Rainfall totals will vary by location, with Vernon Parish falling squarely in the impact zone under both the most likely and worst-case forecasts.

What to Expect in Vernon Parish:
Under the most likely scenario, the Leesville area could receive 3 to 4 inches of rain, with isolated pockets possibly seeing higher amounts if storms repeatedly track over the same areas.

However, under the reasonable worst-case scenario, local rainfall totals could reach 4 to 6 inches, with a 10% chance of even higher amounts. In this scenario, some surrounding parishes, including parts of Rapides, Avoyelles, and Acadia, could see up to 15 inches of rain.

NWS officials stress that while the worst-case projections are less likely, they serve as an important planning tool for emergency management and the public.

Localized flash flooding will be the main concern. Low-lying areas, poor drainage zones, and roadways prone to flooding should be closely monitored.

Residents are urged to:

• Avoid driving through flooded roads
• Clear drainage ditches and gutters before the heaviest rain arrives
• Monitor local forecasts and alerts through the NWS and local emergency officials

The system is expected to bring the most rain to south-central and western Louisiana, but Vernon Parish is not exempt from the risk, especially if the storm tracks slightly north.

With hurricane season well underway, officials encourage all residents to have emergency supplies ready, keep devices charged, and stay weather-aware as this system develops.

Native American material culture artists shared their traditional knowledge with attendees at a free interactive crafts workshop on July 12 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches. Sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University, the event was a prelude to the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival to be held on the NSU campus on July 19.

The Native American tradition bearers who served as workshop instructors included Rhonda Gauthier, a member of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, who taught basketry and beadwork, Becky Meziere, a member of the Clifton Choctaw Tribe, who taught applique beadwork & pine needle basketry, and Deborah West, a member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, who taught the making of Native American dream catchers.

Said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University, “We are so grateful to these tradition bearers who so generously gave the priceless gift of sharing their cultural knowledge. It was wonderful seeing the smiles on so many people as they tried their hands at making traditional crafts under the tutelage of these artists.”

In celebration of this year’s Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival theme, Crafting Louisiana, seventy traditional crafts people will demonstrate and vend their work. Held in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus, the festival will feature three stages of live music with Cajun, zydeco, blues, Celtic, and country music, free Cajun, zydeco, and line dancing lessons, and traditional food vendors. The festival will also include blacksmithing, KidsFest, a free musical spoons workshop, narrative sessions, and the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship from 1-4 PM. Events will include Cajun music by Amis du Teche, zydeco by Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, dancing blues by D.K. Harrell, son jarocho dancing by the Armadillos Tejanos, Americana music by Smithfield Fair, western swing by the Kristyn Harris Band, and swamp pop by the Has Beans. The entire festival is wheelchair accessible with children 12 and under admitted free.

The event was sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. Support for the festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, and the State of Louisiana. The festival is sponsored by Atmos Energy, C&H Precision Machining, City Bank, Cleco, Evans Family, LLC, Exchange Bank, the Family Doctors of Natchitoches, the Harrington Law Firm, Natchitoches Wood Preserving Company, and Young Estate, LLC. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the program did not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. 

For information on pre-registering to compete in the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu or go to nsula.edu/folklife.  

Today, I’m going to hop on my soap box. There aren’t many things that I truly hate, but summer bass tournaments would be at the top of the list!

Now why would this be? For several reasons that I’ll get into later, but the most obvious one –IT’S BLAZING HOT! It’s a time of year when anglers become babysitters, trying to keep their 5-fish limit breathing for eight hours in a live well.

Summer bass tournaments in the South are a grind for both anglers and the bass. The fishing is good the first hour, but can be horrendous the rest of the day. With daytime temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90s and humidity levels over 90 percent, it takes all the fun out of fishing, especially during the months of July and August.

A few tournament trails have or will drop their daily fish limit down from five to three which really helps in so many ways. For one, it allows for better survival rate, as there are less fish to manage in your live well and it means less bass being handled at the weigh-in.

Some anglers hate the three-fish limit tournaments as they think it levels the playing field too much. They feel anyone can get lucky and catch three good fish. But if you go back and look at three-fish tournament results over the years, it turns out that the same guys who win with a five-fish limit are still at the top of the tournament standings with three fish.

My personal reasons for hating summer tournaments would begin with the exhaustion you feel at the end of the day fishing in high temperatures. Fishing in 95 degree-plus temperatures drains the life out of an angler.

Next gripe — I hate it when sweat is dripping off my nose or running down my butt! The heat just makes fishing difficult and unenjoyable.

But what I really look forward to the most is nighttime cramps that occur after fishing in the hot sun all day. There’s nothing more fun than waking up in the middle of the night as your calf muscles or hamstrings decide to tighten up like a guitar string. Thank the Lord above for pickle juice, as there’s pretty much nothing better for eliminating cramps!

Another gripe — everything in your boat is blazing hot and will leave a mark on your butt if you sit on one of those latches that’s a part of the storage lockers. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up being branded like cattle at a stockyard.

Then there’s the wear and tear on your electronics which are large investments, as these units can cost up to $5,000 each. It’s also hard on your rods and reels and the fishing line spooled on each reel. Nothing is harder on your equipment than the hot sun!

As anglers, we must take precautions to protect ourselves from the sun’s harmful UV rays. As a Melanoma survivor, I can attest to all the things I have to do in order to fish in high temperatures. These days, I always wear long sleeve UV protective shirts, a wide brim hat, long pants (most of the time) and plenty of sunscreen.

But my main reason for hating summer bass tournaments — it’s just not fun! It’s a miserable way to spend your day sweating to the oldies on the front deck of a bass boat! ZERO FUN!

The next issue (as if I need anymore) would be dealing with all the crazy recreational boaters like pontoon boats, jet skis and those awesome stupid wake boats that put out four-foot-high waves and disrupt everyone and everything on the lake! Sorry wake boaters, but there should be a limit to the size of the waves you all put out!

One rule I would like to see implemented strictly for wake boaters would be that they are not allowed on the lake until after 2 p.m. This way there would be no conflict with bass boaters and wake boats being on the lake at the same time, as most summer bass tournaments are over by 2 in the afternoon.

Now I know I’ll get some good fan mail over my wake boater comments, but at least I’ll know they read my article! Just kidding wake boaters, hope y’all have fun as well, but keep your wakes down please!

‘Til next time, enjoy your hot summer days on the lake as I hope and pray you won’t see me out there very often.

Let’s talk about the most overconfident, underperforming button in modern technology: the “Close Door” button on an Otis elevator. A button so bold, so brimming with promise, that you can’t help but press it like your entire timeline depends on it. Yet, more often than not, it sits there, mocking your urgency with silent defiance—like a cat watching you call it from across the room.

Imagine this: you’re running late, Starbucks in hand, nerves frayed, and you finally reach the elevator.

Someone’s trailing 20 feet behind you, clearly aiming for the same vertical destination. You eye the “Close Door” button with steely determination, channeling all your willpower into one righteous jab.

And… nothing. The doors pause, dramatically, as if considering your plea… before staying open long enough to let your trailing co-rider slip in with a smug nod. You didn’t close the door—you just sent a polite request to the elevator gods, who promptly ignored it.

Why does Otis even have a “Close Door” button? Well, turns out, it’s largely placebo. For many elevators, especially in buildings built post-1990—the button is deactivated or overridden by a timer, reserved for emergencies or maintenance personnel with magical keys. For the rest of us mortals? It’s basically an adult version of a toy steering wheel. We press it to feel in control, because pushing buttons is what we do when we don’t actually have time for real solutions.

Scientific studies (conducted primarily in crowded office lobbies and hotels at 8:58 a.m.) have shown that humans are 73% more likely to hit the “Close Door” button repeatedly than just wait patiently. This behavior stems from our deep distrust of time and other people. Pressing the button repeatedly creates the illusion of productivity, much like reloading your inbox when you’re waiting for that one important email—or opening the fridge for the sixth time hoping chocolate has materialized.

There’s also social strategy involved. The way you press the “Close Door” button says everything about you.

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The tap and glance: You’re pretending not to notice the other person running toward the elevator.

The full press with body shield: You’ve decided to betray basic human decency for your own schedule.

The fake press: You press it while smiling warmly, signaling, “I tried,” while fully aware it does nothing.

Otis elevators have essentially turned us into actors in a moral drama performed 50 times a day.

In many ways, the Otis “Close Door” button is a symbol of adulthood itself. Full of buttons that seem to do something but don’t. Mortgage refinancing, printer troubleshooting, dieting after 5 p.m.—all have the same energy. The illusion of control is the lifeblood of modern living. We love the illusion of control, don’t we?

And yet, even as we know its futility, we still press it. Every single time. Because hope, however unscientific, beats standing next to a stranger who insists on loud phone calls or eye contact.

So next time you find yourself jabbing that shiny, unyielding button—hold your head high. You are a dreamer. A doer. A hero in an elevator shaft. You know it may be a lie, but you press it anyway.

After all, your hurry is more important than the other guy’s hurry. I wonder, what do we impatient people do with the invitation Jesus issued to the disciples, “Hey guys, let’s get away from the crowds and rest.”

Kit Leamon Taylor was born May 23, 1955, in Long Beach, California and passed away July 9, 2025, at the age of 70. He proudly served in the U.S. Army for about 12 years before working as a truck driver for both Schnider and Walmart. He enjoyed being at home spending time on the computer or playing pool. His dogs were important to him, and his family brought him joy. On December 20, 2004, he married Vickie, and they enjoyed 20 years together.

Kit was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Taylor and Delores Sweeter Taylor and stepson, Terry Helfrich Jr.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Vickie Sue Taylor of Leesville, LA; stepdaughter, Terra Casanova (Omar) of San Antonio, TX;

grandchildren, Rayne Casanova, Donovan Casanova, Misty Casanova, and Victoria Casanova; and a host of extended family members.

Gary Mark Gilmore’s life of crime began when he was in his early teens. It started with petty theft and soon evolved into Gary leading a car theft ring. Gary was in a seemingly endless rotation of crime and prison. After his father died of lung cancer, news which he received from a prison guard, the speed of Gary’s downward spiral increased exponentially. When Gary was released from prison, he became more erratic and became an alcoholic. In his mid-twenties, Gary was convicted of assault and armed robbery and sent back to prison. Eight years later, he was released on a conditional parole. Within a month, he was arrested for armed robbery. After his conditional parole from prison in 1976, 35-year-old Gary moved to Provo, Utah, to live with a distant relative.

At about 11 p.m. on the night of July 19, 1976, three months after his release from prison, Gary robbed 25-year-old Max David Jensen, the night attendant at a service station in Orem, Utah. Max was a graduate of Utah State University and was working at the gas station to pay his way through Brigham Young University Law School. Max had married 14 months earlier and had an infant daughter. At the end of the robbery, Gary told Max to lie down on the floor. Then, Gary shot Max twice in the head with a .22 caliber pistol. Max lost his life for $150.

Just before 11 p.m. on the following night, Gary robbed 26-year-old Bennie Jewkes Bushnell, the night clerk of the City Center Hotel in Provo, Utah. Like Max, Bennie had been married a short time, had an infant child, and was working his way through Brigham Young University. Gary forced Bennie to lie down on the floor and killed him in the same manner as he had Max. Bennie lost his life for $125.

Gary had parked his truck at a nearby service station and walked to the motel. Following the robbery, an attendant at the service station saw Gary return to his car, noticed he was bleeding, heard about the shooting at the motel, and called police. The service station attendant knew Gary and told police where he was living. With that information, officers arrested Gary without incident within three hours.

On October 7, 1976, after a two-day trial, a jury found Gary guilty of murdering Bennie and sentenced him to death. After hearing the verdict, Judge J. Robert Bullock asked Gary if he preferred to be hung or shot. Gary replied, “I prefer to be shot.” On January 17, 1977, as he stood before the six-man firing squad, Gary told the warden his last words. At 8:07 a.m., Gary’s sentence was carried out.

In 1988, Dan Wieden, co-founder of the advertising company Wieden and Kennedy, was hired to come up with a catchy slogan for a struggling company. Dan remembered Gary Gilmore’s last words and tweaked it slightly. A killer’s last words, “let’s do it,” which Dan tweaked to “just do it,” became one of the most successful slogans in advertising history and transformed the fortunes of a struggling shoe company called Nike.

Sources:

1. The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah), July 21, 1976, p.1,4.

2. The Daily Herald, July 23, 1976, p.2.

3. The Daily Herald, October 6, 1976, p.3.

4. The Daily Herald, October 8, 1976, p.1.

5. The Daily Herald, January 17, 1977, p.1.

6. The Miami Herald, August 22, 2009, p. 91.

It was on July 16, 1969, at 9:32 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time that NASA’s Apollo 11 mission lifted off from Cape Kennedy, Florida, beginning humanity’s most audacious journey yet: reaching the Moon. Almost 56 years later, the launch remains one of the most iconic moments of the 20th century, reshaping the trajectory of science, culture, and global ambition.

The Saturn V rocket, roaring to life against a clear summer sky, carried astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Their mission would etch their names—and Armstrong’s first steps—into history, fulfilling President John F. Kennedy’s bold pledge to land a man on the Moon and return him safely by the end of the decade.

More than just a technological marvel, Apollo 11 symbolized a powerful achievement in human collaboration and resolve. Countless scientists, engineers, technicians, and support personnel across the nation pulled together to make the lunar landing possible. The mission also served as a dramatic turning point during a time marked by Cold War tensions and questions of global leadership.

On launch day, millions watched breathlessly as Apollo 11 cleared the tower and vanished into the heavens. Days later, on July 20, Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface declaring, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” a phrase forever etched into the collective memory.

In the aftermath of the mission, public fascination soared. Televisions replayed the grainy images of lunar descent and Earthrise over and over. The success reaffirmed faith in scientific exploration and offered a unifying narrative of human achievement during a turbulent era.

The Apollo 11 launch also accelerated technological spin-offs: advances in materials science, telecommunications, computing, and more emerged from the mission’s rigorous demands. It served as the spark for future space exploration—from Skylab and the Space Shuttle to the International Space Station and plans for Mars missions.

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What makes the anniversary of the 1969 launch especially resonant in July 2025 is its enduring legacy. Despite shifting priorities and challenges to space funding over the decades, the launch still represents a benchmark of inspiration. For many, it reminds us that bold vision combined with hard work can achieve what once seemed impossible.

On this day in history, the world also commemorates several other memorable firsts. July 16, 1945, saw the first successful test of an atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico, marking the dawn of the nuclear age. And in 1790, Washington, D.C. was designated as the capital of the United States, setting a foundation for the nation’s seat of government.

But it is Apollo 11 that captures the imagination in a timeless way—an emblem not only of space exploration, but of the enduring human spirit. Four decades later, the Earthbound crowd of July 1969 may have dispersed, but the ripple effects of that launch continue to shape aerospace, innovation, and cultural identity.

Today, as space agencies plan new missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, the legacy of Apollo 11 remains a lodestar. The mission proved that frontiers once thought unreachable exist merely to be explored, as long as curiosity, courage, and cooperation prevail.

So as July 16 unfolds in 2025, the world pauses to honor that pivotal moment when Apollo 11 vaulted skyward—and forever opened the door to the stars.

Photo Credit: NASA

Billie Moore
Service: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 12:00 noon at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville

Jesus Lujan Leon Guerrero
Service: Friday, July 18, 2025 at 4 P.M. at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Leesville

Yuki Cote
Service: Friday, July 18 at 11 AM at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville

Bessie Lee Bennett
Service: Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 10 am at Pine Island Cemetery in Simpson

Scott Cooper
Services held on July 12

Gail Patricia Michael Cable
Services held July 11

Kit Leamon Taylor
No Service Information Listed

William Keith Harrison
No Services Will Be Held

Charles Travis
Services held on July 14

Vernon Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or vpjnewsla@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to vpjnewsla@gmail.com).

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The Fort Polk community marked the renaming of the installation from Fort Johnson to Fort Polk at a redesignation ceremony held at the fort’s headquarters building, Woodfill Hall, Friday July 11.

The fort, originally named in honor of Confederate general and Louisiana Episcopal bishop, Leonidas Polk, was renamed in 2023 in honor of Sergeant William Henry Johnson, who earned the Medal of Honor and Croix De Guerre with Golden Palm for his heroism in fighting off a German trench raid during the First World War.

Friday’s ceremony renamed the fort in honor of the late General James H. Polk who served a 35 year career in the US Army, spanning WWII, the Korean War and Cold War. During WWII, he commanded the 3rd Cavalry Group under General George Patton and was awarded the Silver Star and French Croix de Guerre.

The ceremony included an unveiling of “JRTC and Fort Polk” signage over the headquarters entrance and of a portrait of General Polk that will be hung inside the entrance. There was a 21-gun salute after which James H. Polk III, the general’s son, spoke. The Polk family were then presented ceremonial artillery casings from the 21-gub salute. Brigadier General Jason Curl, Commander of Fort Polk, gave remarks. The Louisiana Army National Guard’s 156th Army Band, “Louisiana’s Own” under Warrant Officer 4 Wade Farniss played the Army Song concluding the ceremony.

Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

June 27, 2025
Danny Ray Mearse, age 41, of Starks, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond was set at $ 3000.00. Mearse remains in the VPSO jail.

July 1, 2025
Tyler James McMillan, age 31, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Simple Battery. Bond was set at $ 2000.00. McMillan posted bond and was released.

Vernon Lee, age 47, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Introduction of Contraband into a Correctional Facility and one count of Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic. Bond was set at $6561.00. Lee remains in the VPSO jail.

July 2, 2025
James Robert Brown, age 24, of Pitkin, was arrested on an out of jurisdiction Bench Warrant and a Probation Violation Warrant. Bond has not been set and Brown remains in the VPSO jail.

July 2, 2025
Stephanie Cuttler, age 31, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic. Bond was set at $ 1561.00. Cuttler posted bond and was released.

July 4, 2025
Katherine Ivette Valentin, age 28, of New Llano, was arrested and charged with one count of Improper Telephone Communications. Bond was set at $ 1500.00. Valentin posted bond and was released.

ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

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