The Vietnam Veterans of America recently recognized a St. Martinville native as the 2006-07 Teacher of the Year for grades seven through 12.

Winfield Ledet, now a teacher at Pearl River High School in Pearl River, has been bringing his students and community together to celebrate those who have fought in war. It was the result of growing up in St. Martinville, where his parents emphasized the importance of love country and instilled a sense of national pride in him.

“I’ve been holding a Veteran’s Day ceremony since 1969,” Ledet said. “We get guest speakers to come in almost every year to speak.”

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Speakers in the past have included former Miss America Ali Landry, state Sen. Walter Boasso and former Secretary of State Jim Brown. Ledet also invites all of the local veterans to attend the event. He organizes the entire event and delegates tasks to all those who wish to help.

“It is a tradition for Mr. Ledet to sing ‘Let There Be Peace On Earth’ each year during the Veterans’ Day Program,” said Michael Winkler, Pearl River High School’s principal. “He gets a standing ovation every year. The student body loves Mr. Ledet.”

Ledet’s patriotism is not just reserved for holidays. Over the years he has instilled a sense of pride into all of his students. Each year, he arranges a trip for his students to travel to Valley Forge, Pa. He has also orchestrated trips to New York City, N.Y., and Washington, D.C., for his students.

“On our field trips, the students learn everything about government,” said Ledet. “They come back and talk about all they’ve seen.”

During a particular visit to Washington, D.C., Ledet said he and his students experienced history firsthand. The group was present for an attempted assassination of the president.

“We were there when Hinckley tried to assassinate Reagan,” Ledet said.

After leaving St. Martinville, Ledet received a Bachelor of Arts in French education from Southern University. He later went on to receive his master’s in business administration from Southeastern Louisiana University. Since 1968, Ledet has been teaching students at Pearl River High School. His classroom walls are adorned with 137 American flags.

“Mr. Ledet was chosen for this award because he was able to demonstrate a continuing commitment to teaching love of country and patriotism in his classroom and in his extracurricular endeavors,” said Leslie DeLong, the chair for the Teacher’s Award Committee. “His teaching and his personal display of patriotic values have made an impact on the lives of his students and those around them.”

Ledet said retirement isn’t in the close future.

“I’ll retire when I decide to give it up,” he said. “So far, I’ve been enjoying it. I love it.”