2021-0281
Title
In Recognition: Horace Joseph and Mary Catherine Ford Champagne Family, The Most Military Family in America
Body
The Parish of St. Charles
November 1, 2021
IN RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Horace Joseph Champagne married Mary Catherine Ford in St. Charles Parish on February 10, 1923; and,
WHEREAS, between 1923 and 1949, they had fourteen children, twelve of which served their country as members of various branches of the United States Armed Services; and,
WHEREAS, son Harold Joseph Champagne served in the United States Navy during World War II and participated in six Allied Forces landings in the Pacific Theater under the direction of General Douglas MacArthur and passed away in 2011; and,
WHEREAS, daughter Pearl Champagne Lauret served in the United States Naval Reserve (Women's Reserve) better known as the WAVES during World War II and passed away in 2018; and,
WHEREAS, son Alvin Peter "Champ" Champagne served in the United States Army beginning in 1945 aboard an Army hospital ship and passed away in 2015; and,
WHEREAS, son Morris Joseph Champagne served in the United States Army with the 38th Infantry Regiment in the American Zone of Occupied Germany and in Korea during the Korean Conflict where he was killed in action at the battle of Hoengsoeng in South Korea in February of 1951; and,
WHEREAS, son Johnny Anthony Champagne served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and passed away in 2017; and,
WHEREAS, son Jerry Charles Champagne, served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and passed away in 2019; and,
WHEREAS, son Horace Joseph Champagne Jr., served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and resides in Luling, Louisiana; and,
WHEREAS, son Charles James Champagne served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 through 1957, and resides in Picayune, Mississippi; and,
WHEREAS, son Ronald Joseph Champagne served in the United States Navy from 1960 through 1962 and resides in Luling, Louisiana; and,
WHEREAS, son David Joseph Champagne served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict from 1962 through 1964, and resides in Luling, Louisiana; and,
WHEREAS, son Anthony Raymond Champagne served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict from 1963 through 1965, and resides in Bayou Gauche, Louisiana; and,
WHEREAS, son Thomas Eugene Champagne served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict, was stationed in Germany, and resides in Luling, Louisiana; and,
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs researched the historic records of military families throughout the United States, and could not find another family with more siblings that served their country than the Champagnes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, do hereby commend the Champagne family of St. Charles Parish for their patriotism and commitment to duty as the most military family in America.
Horace Joseph and Mary Catherine Ford Champagne Family
The Most Military Family in America
“PARISH OF PLENTY”
created in 1807 from the county of the
“German Coast”, a parish of
unprecedented economic and social
development, known for its
hospitality, rural living and sporting
opportunities… with the added
distinction of being located
on both sides of the
Mighty Mississippi River.