January 21, 2005
Dear General Veillon:
You don't know me and have never heard of me but I feel that I need to express my appreciation and thanks for the wonderful youth challenge program that you are so skillfully in charge of.
My grandson, Matthew Broussard of Welsh, Louisiana graduated from the program with the class of December 11, 2004. He basically went in as a boy and came out as a man with pride and self-confidence in himself, although he had to overcome huge personal obstacles. I feel that you should know the history behind Matthew's obstacles, which I will try to outline for you.
His mother, my daughter, was a one-parent mom raising 3 children, as her husband was killed 4 years previously in an auto accident. She was having problems with Matthew not caring for school at the age of 15 and failing every subject. She then started looking for any options she could find. For some unknown reason, she found out about this program and eventually mentioned it to Matthew. By an act of God, he was all excited about it, at which time she brought him to Lake Charles for his acceptance.
In July of 2005 we brought him to Camp Beauregard, at which time she and I attended your very inspirational orientation session. At that time, it was obvious to me and Matthew's mother that it would be a good program although we had no idea it would be that wonderful. As you had warned us at the orientation, his mother started getting calls from Matthew, pleading for her to pick him up and get him out of that prison. If she had not been warned, she probably would have done it.
On August 13, 2004 his mother was murdered, at which time we went to pick Matthew up to attend her funeral. At that time we had great doubts that Matthew would opt to go back but with the urging of family and friends and his determination, he did return to camp. It could well be, that two angels, his mother and daddy, played a big part in his decision.
Needless to say, it wasn't easy for him to go through the rest of the program but with the help of his counselor, his platoon sergeant, his fellow 6th platoon cadets and everyone else involved, he graduated with his class on December 11, 2004. Not only did he graduate from the program, he earned 4 merit stars and received his GED. He is now planning to attend college later this year.
Again, I want to thank you, all the Louisiana National Guard members involved and the State of Louisiana for having such a wonderful program for our youths.
Sincerely,
Delfred Landry
Kaplan, Louisiana