Photos: Guilderland road named for Vietnam vet Ladouceur
Part of West Lydius Street, from Carman Road to Church Road, is being renamed for Guilderland resident Army First Lieutenant Lanny G. Ladouceur, who was killed in Vietnam.
The Enterprise — Elizabeth Floyd Mair
The oldest Gold Star Mother in Albany County, Marie Ladouceur, mother of Lanny G. Ladouceur, speaks with County Executive Daniel McCoy at Thursday’s ceremony naming a road for her late son. Ladouceur was killed in May 1970, when the helicopter he was piloting was shot down. He was 23. In addition to his mother, his then-wife, Elaine Falzano, his brother, Ron Ladouceur, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ladouceur, attended. In a speech, Ron Ladouceur said that his brother’s death “is still exceedingly painful to talk about.” Ladouceur added that the country was very divided during the Vietnam War and remains so; he said he hoped the road sign would not exacerbate this, but simply remind drivers of the preciousness of life and cause them to slow down.
The Enterprise — Elizabeth Floyd Mair
Lending dignity: Members of the American Legion Riders and the Patriot Guard Riders hold flags as they line the walkway leading to the Town Hall on Thursday, before the ceremony honoring Guilderland resident Army First Lieutenant Lanny G. Ladouceur, who was killed 47 years ago in Vietnam. Part of West Lydius Street, from Carman Road to Church Road, is being renamed for him. Town Supervisor Peter Barber said at the memorial ceremony that it was a wonderful tribute to a fallen hero, “albeit, I think, 47 years too late.”
