PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Here we are
again after a few weeks’ break from that fantastic Hébert “homecoming.”
WOW! What a way to peak after almost three years of hard and persistent
planning. So many, many people to thank for such dedication to one
family name: Hébert—as honorable and delightful as any other Acadian
name.
We wish we
had been able to record the many compliments and praises made during the
two-day reunion. Even members of other reunion families were
congratulating us for “a job well done.” The overall opinion of those
who worked so hard to bring Héberts from all parts of the world
together in Abbeville is simply this:
AWESOME !
We never guessed
the response would be so great! A “grand merci” to all who came—you
really made us look good.
Since the reunion,
we have received more “good job” remarks:
Abbeville
Main Street would like to congratulate all the members of the Hébert
family for organizing such a successful reunion.
Your goal
was to gather and unite with Héberts from around the world and promote
our City with all its different cultures. It was great to see everyone
touring, walking, shopping and eating in our fine restaurants.
Although I
am not a cousin, I did enjoy participating and meeting all the interesting
Héberts, of course, my favorite was Bobby Hébert.
Judging from
the crowd and the smiles on everyone’s face, I know ya’ll passed a good
time.
Charlene
Beckett, Abbeville Main Street Directress
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Hébert
Reunion in Abbeville was great. The effort involved was obvious.
Thanks for a great time.
Roy
Neal Hébert, New Iberia, Louisiana
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Just wanted to
thank you (the committee) for all the work put into the Hébert
Reunion. I really enjoyed it and thought it was the best one of the
several I was able to attend. There
were lots of events of interest and lots of friendly cousins. It
always amazes me how complete strangers who have a family connection are
so comfortable and connect so well with each other. This was certainly
evident at the reunion. I am very excited about going to Canada in
2004 .
Virginia Pruett, Katy, Texas
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I want to thank you (the committee) for all of your hard
work. My sister and I attended most of the events and had a great
time. Even though our closest Hébert relation is seven generations
back, everyone made us feel very welcome. We met people from all
over the U. S. and Canada, and all were enjoying the reunion. We
hope to see all of you in 2004 .
Helen Schneidau, New Orleans, Louisiana
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Just a few words
to say “thank you” to you and your wonderful committee for the beautiful
and well-organized Hébert Family Reunion held in Abbeville, LA,
August 6-7. My wife and I had a great time meeting different people
(all those Héberts) and sharing in the festivities which you and
the committee provided. It was an event that all of you can be proud
to have accomplished. I know that a lot of hard work and dedication
went into this, and all of you deserve the credit. Thank you again
and again for a memorable occasion. We look forward to a return visit
to Abbeville.
Eddie Hébert, Thibodaux, LA
Russell’s Reflections on the Highlights of the Reunion
1) The opening ceremonies and dance on Friday.
Turnout for
both events was much more than expected. Over 500 happy people attended
the dance. It was family-oriented, so even the children joined in
the “fais-do-do”—just like our Acadian ancestors did. You had to
be there to see how contagious the bonding among the Hébert cousins
was. Of course, the music from the band added to the merriment.
2) The unveiling of our reunion memorial.
It seems that
everyone at the opening walked to Magdalen Square to witness the unveiling
by Warren Perrin, President of CODOFIL, and Mayor Brady Broussard.
The monument, donated by the Lovelis Hébert Family, is a beautiful
tribute to the celebraton of the Hébert Family Reunion in Abbeville.
The “Walk of Names” surely does add to the beauty of our memorial.
3) The Giant Egg Omelette Parade.
Approximately
250 people walked in procession, with their colorful banners, to the location
of the omelette cooking, where approximately 900-1200 people watched
the cooking demonstration. Low and behold, who pops up to the delight
of the crowd—NFL Quarterback Bobby Hébert, his wife Teresa, his
four delightful children, and of course, Papa and Momma “bears”:
Bobby, Sr., and Paula—great folks from Cut Off, Louisiana. It was
gratifying to see how the “Cajun Cannon” mingled with the crowd and graicously
signed autographs. Thanks, Bobby, you made us (young and old) proud
to be Héberts and added much excitement to our Saturday activities.
4) The Mass and Closing Ceremonies.
Whereas the
church seats appoximately 600, people were standing three deep in the rear
areas of St. Mary Magdalen to join in the Mass of Thanksgiving for this
memorable and warm occasion. The French Mass was beautifully celebrated
by Msgr. Glenn Provost and enriched by Nancy Tabb Marcantel’s rendition
of several hymns in French.
As we said our “good-bye’s” after the closing ceremony,
we felt our hearts yearn for the time when we will
met again.
MEMORABILIA
1) Afghans
25 on hand
left from initial order of 150. Once the initial order of afghans
is sold, we will order by lots of 50, but only after that quantity is requested.
Joyce Hébert Lege and her committee did a superb job with their
choices of scenes and colors. The afghan would make a great gift
for Christmas.
2) Memorial Bricks
275 left of
450 available to be sandblasted (stenciled) on the “Walk of Names.”
This will be a lasting memorial to our members, their families, and their
friends.
3) License Plates
This item
was on special at reunion for $10. The Memorabilia Committee has
decided to offer them as a super special: Both license plates for
the price of $5 or the Logo Plate at $3. The framed license
(limited number left) is also on special for $23, which includes
postage.
4) T-Shirts
We have re-ordered
for the 3rd time. This is all the inventory we have left: Adult sizes:
S (6) @ $10 each, L (3) @ $12 each, XL (8) @ $12 each, and
XXL (5) @ $14 each.. Please add $1.50 per t-shirt for postage.
T-shirts
and license plates can be ordered through the Association address:
Hebert Family Assn., P. O. Box 375, Abbeville, LA 70511. The
afghan and bricks have a special order blank enclosed with the postal mail
version of the newsletter.
Sadly Missed
One week before
the reunion, we received a call from Vice-President Charles Hébert
that member Stephanie Broussard Hébert, his wife, had been diagnosed
with cancer of the breast and that she was to undergo Chemotherapy on Friday,
August 6. On Thursday, August 5, Stephanie died unexpectedly.
Stephanie
had been a pillar in the Hébert reunion movement. She and Charles
traveled from Houston for most of our board meetings and were instrumental
in the planning from the very beginning.
The closing
mass and ceremonies on Saturday, August 7, were dedicated to her memory.
On Sunday,
August 8, five members of our Association drove to Houston to pay their
respects to Stephanie’s family.
Remember Stephanie
and her family in your prayers.
Le Coin Français
Barbara Hébert Hébert
Quels jours
inoubliable!! Le Congrès Mondial des Acadiens a eu un grand
succès. La Réunion de l’Association des Hébert
du Monde pour laquelle nous avons travaillé si diligemment pendant
trois ans et qui a eu lieu le 6 et 7 Août à Abbeville a eu
aussi beaucoup de succès. Environ, 900 a 1200 personnes sont
venus pour les deux jours de célébration. Malgré
la chaleur de ces jours d’été, les participants avaient l’air
de bien s’amuser. Ils sont venus de Québec, de la Nouvelle
Ecosse, de Martinique, de Nouveau Brunswick, de la Belgique, et de beaucoup
d’états des États-Unis.
Le Centre
d’Accueil a été ouvert à 9 h du matin le 6 où
participants pouvaient faire des recherches de généalogie
et peut-être rencontrer de nouveaux cousins. Il s’y trouvait
aussi beaucoup de souvenirs à achetér comme les pins, les
T-shirts, des livres sur la généalogie. Pendant la
journée on a montré un film sur le “Grand Derangement,” et
au Centre Culturel et Historique il y avait unexposition d’art de Chestee
Harrington, qui raconte dans ses oeuvres la vie et l’histoire des Cajuns
de Louisiane. Et chaque correspond à une chanson de la musique
des Cajuns, comme “Jolie Blonde” et “Allons Danser, Colinda.” Pour
ceux qui s’interéssaint à mieux connaitre notre ville,
il y avait des visites guidées par les guides de la ville d’Abbeville.
Pendant la journée il y avait de la musique à la Place Madeleine,
le “square” où on pouvait aussi danser.
La Ceremonie
d’Ouverture a eu lieu à 7 heures. “Les Amies Louisianaises”
ont chanté Hymne National en français, et après, Les
Petits Chanteurs Acadiens ont chanté plusieurs chansons. M.
Warren Perrin, le président de CODOFIL, nous a addressé la
parole. M. Perrin est bien connu pour ses efforts en la préservation
de la culture et la langue des Cajuns. Après l’Ouverture,
dans le “Square” M. Warren Perrin et le Maire Brady Broussard ont dédi
le Memorial qi commemore le Congrès Mondial Acadien-Louisiane 1999
et la Réunion de la famille Hébert.
Après
il y avait une danse dans la belle “Madeleine Place” où tout le
monde avait l’air de bien s’amuser.
Le Samedi
matin les Chevaliers de la Confrérie de l’Omelette Géante
ont fait cuire une Omelette de 5,000 oeufs et l’ont servi à la fouel.
La présence de Bobby Hébert, le célèbre joueur
de football américain, a été très appreciée
par ses jeunes “fans.” Enfin, par tout le monde! Et c’etait
un honneur pour nous que Mme. Kathleen Babineaux-Blanco (Lieutenant-Gouverneur
de la Louisiane) est venue nous addresser la parole.
La journée
s’est terminée avec une belle Messe en français à
l’Eglise Marie Madeleine célébré par Monseigneur Glenn
Provost.
J’ai trouvé
ces 15 jours du Congrés très émouvant, et je me sentais
très fière d’être Acadienne.
Pendant les
15 jours du Congrès, il y avait des Conférences intéressantes
comme celle de M. Gerard-Marc Braud qui a parlé des Acadiens à
Nantes, en France, et de ceux qui sont venus en Louisiane de Nantes dans
les années après 1765. M. Braud etait le représentant
de “Racines et Rameaux” de Nantes et Belle-Isle-en-Mer. M. Stephen
White, généalogiste au Centre d’Etudes Acadiennes, Universite
de Moncton, Nouveau Brunswick, a aussi donné une conférence
très intéressante et amusante à la fois à St.
Martinville. Un chef du tribu indien Mic-Mac, qui ont beaucoup aidé
les Acadiens pendant la dispersion, a donné un discours très
emouvant en explicant les liens entre les Mic-Mac et les Acadiens.
Nous avons appris
comment ils ont souffert aux mains des Anglais pour avoir
aidé et caché les Acadiens. Après son discours
tout le monde avait les larmes aux yeux. M. Roger Hébert,
président de l’Association des Hébert d’Acadie, est venu
à Abbeville pour notre réunion.
Deux évenements
pendant le Congrès m’ont vraiment touché. La Messe,
qui a eu lieu à St. Martinville à L’Eglise de St. Martin
de Tours, etait la Messe officiele de fermeture le 14 Août, avec
l’Archevêque Ernest Leger de Moncton, Nouveau Brunswick. C’etait
très emouvant de voir les bannières apportés par les
quarantaine familles qui ont eu des réunion. L’autre évenement
c’était “Le Cri du Bayou” au Cajundome à Lafayette, la fermeture
du Congrès le 15 Août. Zachary Richard et beaucoup d’autres
chanteurs et groupes Cajun et Zydeco, et deux groupes venus de la Nouvelle
Ecosse ont chanté pendant plus de deux heures à une auditoire
très fière de se sentir Acadiens. Quand Zachary Richard
a chanté sa belle chanson “Reveille,” j’ai pense à nos ancêtres,
chassées de leur beau pays, leurs terres et maisons brulées
par les Anglais, dispersés aux quatre vents dans un effort de détruire
la culture et le langage d’un peuple sans défense au dix-huitième
siécle. J’ai pensé aussi à un T-s!
hirt que j’ai vu sur un des participants “J’ai survécu
la déportation de 1755.” En effet, on a tous survécu.
Nos ancêtres seraient si contente de savoir que les Anglais n’ont
pas réussi à les anéantir. L’esprit de l‘Acadie
vit; elle devient de plus en plus forte. Les Acadiens de la Nouvelle
Ecosse, de Nouveau Brunswick, de Belle-Isle-en-Mer, partout dans le Monde
où il y a encore des Acadiens, à la Louisiane où nous
les Cajuns commencent à se réunir et de reclamer notre heritage,
cet esprit continue à se réaliser. On a bien survécu.
On a, comme dit la belle chanson du Congrès, “le coeur en Acadie
et les pieds en Louisiane.” On est bien “réveillé”
et comme dit le poème de Jean Arceneaux dans “L’Acadie Tropicale”:
“Enfants du silence
Levons nos voix ensembles,
Chantons du coeur en choeur
Ils commencent à nous entendre.”
what's in the future
The year 2000: A one-day reunion. Where?
Are you and a group of your co-hearts interested in hosting the 2000
Reunion? If so, submit a no cost bid to the Association for
consideration. Include in your “bid”: where (town), when (fall preferably),
and what housing is available for out-of-town guest. The Association
will provide assistance ($) for registration and food for members. Non-members
would have to pay a small registration fee. The Association will also lend
its expertise in planning and will help in some of the work involved.
Deadline for “bid” submission: January 15, 2000. (we would
be happy to provide you with names and address of members in your locale)
The year 2001: A two-day Reunion. Where?
We received an invitation from Roger Hébert, a member from the Province
of New Brunswick, Canada, to join in with L’Association des Hébert
d’Acadie and possibly the Hébert Association of New England (USA).
Roger attended the CMA Hébert Reunion in Abbeville. We met
with him while he was here and discussed the possibilities for co-hosting
such a reunion somewhere in New Brunswick.
While in New Brunswick, we would have an opportunity to
discuss the CMA Hébert Reunion of Nova Soctia-2004 with our counterparts
of Acadie.
Many of our members have expressed a desire to visit
New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Briton, and Nova Scotia before
the year 2004. Such a tour (by bus and one or two fly-in connections)
is now being explored for early summer (June) of 2001. We would like
to hear from you if you are interested in joining us for this tour.
There is a possibility that we could have pick-up locations while in route
from Abbeville. Cost for such a tour has not been determined as of
yet. We should have a ball-park figure by press time for La Gazette
#15 (December, 1999). |
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