Caddo Officials and Veterans Groups Angry

Caddo parish officials and local veterans groups are angry with the state House Appropriations Committee which, earlier this week, cut more than $830-thousand from next year's budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs.Parish Commission President Ken Epperson says these funding cuts, if not restored, could lead to the closure of the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville and 22 Veterans Serivces Offices around the state. The Veterans Honor Medal program would stop and the CENLA Veterans Cemetery in Leesville would not open. Epperson and other Caddo parish officials -- as well as area veterans' organizations -- are urging residents to contact the governor and the legislature and push to have these funds restored.