Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs

Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs We honor, support, and serve the veterans of Baton Rouge. Together, we stand. 🇺🇸

MACVA connects veterans with resources, celebrates their service, and advises the Mayor’s office on programs that make a difference for our military community.

🇺🇸MAYOR’S VETERAN OF THE WEEK🇺🇸 Mark R. Adams United States NavyTh...
08/31/2026

🇺🇸MAYOR’S VETERAN OF THE WEEK🇺🇸
Mark R. Adams
United States Navy

This week, we are proud to recognize United States Navy veteran Mark R. Adams for his remarkable 23 years of honorable service to our nation.

Inspired by a proud family tradition of Navy service—including his grandfather, father, and two uncles—Mark began his own military journey in 1985 at Recruit Training Command in San Diego. Over the next 23 years, he served our country aboard the USS Acadia (AD-42), USS Richard B. Russell (SSN-687), USS Georgia (SSBN-729), USS Kamehameha (SSN-642), USS Los Angeles (SSN-688), and USS Olympia (SSN-717). A qualified Submariner and respected leader, Mark also served on shore duty in Pascagoula, Mississippi; Naples, Italy; and Fort Meade, Maryland. He retired from the United States Navy in 2009 as a Chief Petty Officer (E-7).

Throughout his distinguished career, Mark earned numerous military honors, including two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, seven Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, and many additional awards recognizing his service, leadership, deployments, and dedication.

For Mark, being a veteran is more than a title: He says, “It is a badge of honor. Serving the people and the flag of this country for 23 years was an honor I will always carry with me.”

Today, Mark continues to serve the Baton Rouge community in his own unique way. During the day, you may see him helping members of our community as a pest control technician. When the sun goes down, he heads to the studio, where he shares his passion for music as a voice on Eagle 98.1, Baton Rouge’s rock station!

His message to younger generations and those currently serving is simple and powerful: “Take pride in what you do, never take your time in uniform for granted, and always look out for the person standing beside you. Serve with honor and integrity.”

Only a small percentage of Americans will ever have the privilege of wearing the uniform of the United States military. Mark R. Adams is proud of the sailors he served alongside, the ships and commands that became part of his life, and the many years he was honored to wear the uniform of the United States Navy. He is happily married to his lovely bride, Trisha Adams.

Thank you, Chief Adams, for your 23 years of service, your leadership, and your continued commitment to the Baton Rouge community. We are proud to recognize you as this week’s Mayor’s Veteran of the Week!

Thank you for your service, Chief Adams, We Salute You!!

🇺🇸🇺🇸Veteran of the Week🇺🇸🇺🇸 Irma Boulet Darphin United States ArmyThis ...
08/24/2026

🇺🇸🇺🇸Veteran of the Week🇺🇸🇺🇸
Irma Boulet Darphin
United States Army

This week, we are honored to recognize Irma Boulet Darphin, a World War II Army nurse, beloved Louisiana woman, proud member of the Louisiana Women Veterans, and a true national treasure.

Born in Orange, Texas, Irma spent only three months there before Louisiana became home. She graduated from Crowley High School in 1939, and in 1943, following the United States’ entry into World War II, she answered her country’s call by volunteering to serve as an Army nurse.

From 1943 to 1945, Irma served with the 127th General Hospital in England and France, where she cared for wounded soldiers and prisoners of war. Her specialty was orthopedic nursing, and her work was anything but easy. After spending 16 months in England preparing hospitals for the wounded, Irma and her fellow nurses crossed the English Channel and arrived at Normandy’s Utah Beach just six weeks after D-Day. Nearly 100 nurses and 80 doctors served with the 127th General Hospital, working long shifts—often 12 hours a day—to care for the tremendous number of casualties arriving from the battlefield.

Yet Irma remembers those years not with fear, but with gratitude. “We were young and never thought about being in danger,” she recalled. She loved being a nurse and loved knowing that her work mattered to people. When asked if she would do it all again, her answer was simple:
“I wouldn’t have had my life any other way because I loved being a nurse and we had good people around us.” When the war ended, Irma returned to nursing and eventually made her way back to Louisiana, settling in Iota, where she and her late husband, George, raised their family. Together they had four children, 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Her life of service continued long after her military career. She worked in public health and spent 20 years serving at the Southwest State School.

Today, Irma remains an inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to know her. She is a proud and treasured member of the Louisiana Women Veterans, and she continues to be surrounded by family and friends who recognize the remarkable woman she is. Among those who think the world of Irma is her dear friend and admirer, Anna Sanders, who speaks of her with tremendous affection and admiration. It is easy to understand why. Irma has spent more than a century living by the philosophy she shares so freely with others: “If you manage to love people, you’ve got it made.” 83 years since she raised her hand and volunteered to serve. And still teaching people, simply by the way she lives.

Irma celebrated her 104th birthday on August 8, 2026, surrounded by the people who love her, and also becoming the oldest and only female World War II veteran residing at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home. She credits her longevity to staying active, working hard, eating well, and perhaps, as she jokingly says, “good genes.” But those who know Irma might say there is something more: a lifetime spent caring for others, serving her country, loving her family, and making friends wherever she goes.
She still loves to sing, remembering how she and the other Army nurses entertained themselves during the war by riding bicycles and singing together. And when family and friends gathered to celebrate her 104th birthday, Irma found her voice once again as everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Irma’s advice remains beautifully simple: “Love people. You just supposed to love everybody. It isn’t going to hurt a thing.”

This week, the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs proudly salutes Irma Boulet Darphin for her service to our nation, her dedication to nursing and public service, and the extraordinary life she has shared with generations of Louisianians.

From the battlefields of World War II to the communities of Southwest Louisiana, Irma has spent a lifetime serving others. What a woman. What a life. What a legacy. 104 Years of Service, Love, and Grace.

Thank you for your service, Irma. Thank you for your example. And thank you for reminding us all that a life well lived is a life lived in service, love, and kindness. We stand tall as we Salute you!!!
To learn more about Mrs. Darphin, see:

https://www.klfy.com/community/renee-allen-s-90-plus/90-plus-99-year-old-iota-woman-looks-back-on-how-life-led-her-to-acadiana/

https://americanpress.com/2023/08/09/world-war-ii-army-nurse-irma-darphin-turns-101/

https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-17-19f4rjt8

https://www.kplctv.com/2023/08/08/world-war-ii-nurse-celebrates-101st-birthday-swla-veterans-home/

🇺🇸🇺🇸 Tara Jones 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Air Force National GuardTara Jones proudly served in the Air Force National Guard fr...
08/17/2026

🇺🇸🇺🇸 Tara Jones 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Air Force National Guard

Tara Jones proudly served in the Air Force National Guard from 1988 to 1997, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and serving as a Quality Assurance Administrative Inspector. During her nine years of military service, Tara participated in training missions to Istanbul, Turkey, and Copenhagen, Denmark, and was honored to receive the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
One of the accomplishments Tara remembers most proudly from her military career was being nominated for Officer Training School by her senior leadership. To Tara, the nomination was more than an honor—it was a meaningful reflection of the confidence her leaders placed in her abilities, leadership, and potential.
After leaving military service, Tara spent more than 20 years building a career in the financial and marketing industries. While she valued that experience, she ultimately discovered her true calling in serving those who had served our nation. Today, Tara works with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs as an Administrative Program Manager, where she supports the Incarcerated Veterans Program and serves as a Veterans Assistance Counselor.
Through her work, Tara has found tremendous fulfillment in helping veterans and their families navigate challenges and access the benefits and resources they have earned. She also continues her commitment to veterans as the Adjutant of American Legion Post Boyd-Ewing 58, allowing her to remain actively involved in serving and supporting the veteran community.
For Tara, being a veteran represents far more than military service—it represents a lifetime of service. Community, courage, selflessness, respect, and dedication are values she carried with her beyond the uniform and continues to live by each day, both personally and professionally.
Her advice to current service members and the next generation is simple but powerful: never stop learning, and never be afraid to ask for help. Tara believes true strength is not found in pretending to have all the answers, but in knowing when to rely on your team, support one another, and continue growing. She encourages service members to cherish the friendships and bonds formed during military service, take care of their physical and mental well-being, prepare for life after the military, and continue developing as leaders, family members, and members of their communities.
Tara's commitment to service is also a family tradition. Her husband, Roger Jones, proudly served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. Together, Tara and Roger have built a life centered on faith, family, and service, and they are blessed with two wonderful children.
For Tara and her family, serving our country is an important part of their story—but their commitment did not end when they left the uniform. Today, Tara continues that legacy by serving veterans, supporting their families, and giving back to the community she is proud to call home.
Thank you, Staff Sergeant Tara Jones, for your service to our nation, and for continuing to serve those who served. We proudly Salute you!

August 15, 1945V-J Day, Victory over Japan day, The end of WWII.Meanwhile, at a Japanese Prisoner of War camp, WWII US A...
08/15/2026

August 15, 1945
V-J Day, Victory over Japan day,
The end of WWII.

Meanwhile, at a Japanese Prisoner of War camp, WWII US Army Air Corps veteran, Bataan Death March survivor James Bollich was liberated from his captors by US allies.

On his 21st birthday.

Happy 105th birthday, Jim.

American salutes your courage and valor.

God bless you. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

🇺🇸🇺🇸 VETERAN OF THE WEEK 🇺🇸🇺🇸 CHRISTINA STRICKLAND LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARDThe Mayor’s Advisory Counc...
08/10/2026

🇺🇸🇺🇸 VETERAN OF THE WEEK 🇺🇸🇺🇸
CHRISTINA STRICKLAND
LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD

The Mayor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs is proud to recognize Christina Strickland as this week’s Veteran of the Week.

For Christina, being a veteran is about far more than having worn a uniform. It is a lifelong commitment to service, sacrifice, integrity, and putting something greater than oneself first. Inspired by her family’s legacy of military service and driven by a desire to serve her country and community, Christina found in military service an opportunity to lead, grow, overcome challenges, and make a difference in the lives of others.

One of the most significant chapters of her military career came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Christina served on the front lines during one of the most uncertain and challenging periods in recent history. Alongside fellow service members, she faced long hours, uncertainty, and the responsibility of helping protect the health and safety of communities during a national crisis. That experience reinforced for Christina what service truly means. She says, “Service members answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed, whether that's on a battlefield, responding to natural disasters, or standing on the front lines of a global pandemic.”

Her service has continued through the Louisiana Army National Guard, where she has answered the call for emergency operations, state missions, and other situations requiring Soldiers to serve their communities in times of crisis. Through every mission, Christina has learned that military service is not simply a career, it is a calling. It is about resilience, teamwork, leadership, compassion, and the willingness to stand beside others when they need you most.

Christina also believes that the bonds created through military service are among its greatest gifts. The friendships, shared sacrifices, and sense of family formed through service can last a lifetime. Today, Christina continues to carry the values she learned in uniform into her life and her community. She believes that service never truly ends. Whether supporting fellow veterans, serving her community, mentoring others, or simply leading by example, she remains committed to making a positive difference.

Her message to the next generation of service members is one of purpose and perseverance:

“Wear the uniform with pride, lead with integrity, and always remember that your legacy will be defined not just by what you accomplished, but by the people you inspired and the lives you touched.”

Christina Strickland, thank you for answering the call, for standing in service to your fellow citizens during one of our nation’s most difficult moments, and for continuing to serve long after the uniform comes off.

Your service matters. Your example matters. And your commitment to serving others is a legacy worth honoring.

Thank you for your service, Christina Strickland, We Salute You!

It was an honor for all of us to gather and pay tribute to those that have been wounded or who paid the ultimate price f...
08/07/2026

It was an honor for all of us to gather and pay tribute to those that have been wounded or who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. On Purple Heart Day, we gathered to remember, reflect, and to never forget 💜

Thinking of and thanking our brave men and women who serve and protect our nation, and for those who selflessly gave so ...
08/07/2026

Thinking of and thanking our brave men and women who serve and protect our nation, and for those who selflessly gave so much to keep our nation free. 💜💜

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