Doing something with nothing is the best way to describe the work completed in Lydia at the new Lydia Veterans Memorial Monument.

The project will get its official dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday when a public reception is held.

What was once an unwanted triangle of state property donated to Iberia Parish as an afterthought today is a $60,000 monument honoring what is perhaps our country’s No. 1 resource — veterans.

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A story in Sunday’s Daily Iberian said after the state Department of Transportation and Development donated the land to the parish, Parish Councilman Roger Duncan heard from Annanias Johnson, who told Duncan, “If you want to do something nice there, put up a monument for the veterans.”

That is exactly what happened. The state kicked in $25,000, the parish committed $25,000 and veteran and American Legion Post 365 member Gerald Myers helped raise another $10,000 to complete the $60,000 project, which will get its first official day in the sun Wednesday, on Veterans Day.

“It used to be a place that parked old trucks, and now it’s a beautiful monument,” Duncan said. “It’ll enhance the Lydia area, and it’s a small token of our appreciation of what veterans have done for the great country we live in.”

The sacrifices the men and women of the armed forces, both past and present, have made is a testament to this country as the Land of Opportunity. Their work and their losses keep the promise for future generations.

Wednesday’s tribute is another reminder of how grateful we all are.

STEPHEN HEMELT

city editor