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The Acadiana Chapter of he 82nd Airborne Division Association raised the money, bought, paid for, and erected the Captain Steven Logan Bennett monument in front of the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, LA in 1987. In the mid 1980's Chapter Member CW3 Bill McKenzie (Ret.) became aware of the exploits of Captain Steven Logan Bennett, which resulted in his death and posthumous award of our Nation's highest military award for valor, the Medal of Honor for his actions 29 June 1972.
Bill McKenzie was upset as were the Chapter members that the citizens of Captain Bennett's home town had never properly honored him. Captain Bennett lived in Lafayette, LA and had graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL - now ULL). Captain Bennett was commissioned into the US Air Force from the USL ROTC program.
The Acadiana Chapter petitioned the Lafayette City Government and the University to allow placement of a monument memorializing Captain Bennett and his bravery. After much work by the Chapter, the City Government and the University agreed the proper place for the monument would be in front of the new Cajun Dome. The State of Louisiana, the city of Lafayette LA, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) jointly own the Cajun Dome.
The Cajun Dome is a fitting place where thousands of citizens and visitors have the opportunity to see the beautiful monument and bronze plaque. When you are in the area, please take the time to visit it.
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