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Cathi Cox-Boniol from the Ruston Daily Leader wrote an article in the October 28, 2026 edition about our upcoming Veterans Appreciation Lunch at the Century Next Bank Main Office in Ruston, Louisiana. Thank you to Cathi for spreading word of our upcoming event! We would love for our local veterans to join us for lunch on Tuesday, November 10 between 11am-2pm. If you don't have a subscription to the newspaper, here is what she wrote:
Two years ago, Century Next Bank saw a void in its community service. The team realized the bank needed to have a more structured way to say "thank you" to local veterans. That commitment led to back-to-back Veterans Appreciation Breakfast events, each held around the annual Veterans Day Celebration in Ruston.
Now the bank is taking things up a notch, moving from breakfast to lunch. According to Jessica Slaughter, Century Next VP of LA Engagement and Marketing, the goal was simple.
"We spoke with some community members who suggested lunch might be more accessible than breakfast for veterans who might be working," Slaughter said. That means this year, the bank is rolling out the red carpet wtih a fully catered lunch on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the downtown branch located at 505 N. Vienna St. in Ruston. Slaughter said things will be set up to provide the most welcoming and enjoyable environment for the veterans.
"Linda Peevy is catering for us with chicken pasta, green beans, rolls, and dessert," she added. "We will have our big tents and tables set up and our employees will be serving food." Slaughter noted that the long, communal tables will be especially beneficial for veterans to sit and visit.
Lunch will be ready at 11 a.m., and the Century Next team will remain outside until 2 p.m. to accommodate as many vetearns as possible through different lunch shifts. In addition, a speial feature will take place at noon.
"We will have a Color Guard Ceremony at 12 noon," Slaughter continued.
Susan Skapura, Century Next Vice President, Assistant Operations Manager and Fraud Officer, is one of the committee memers who has helped organize the event. She believes the luncheon is a great way for the bank to honor veterans.
"Personally, I feel we should always do more for them," Skapura said. "Without them and what they have done, we might not have this great country."
Last year's event created a genuine sense of community, reminding those who helped organize the special occasion how important it is to pause and thank those who have served our country to secure the freedoms we enjoy. Amanda Parker, an Army National Guard veteran and Century Next Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer who also serves on the committee and helps organize the event, recalls sitting with one of the veterans in attendance and seeing how the bank employees interacted with the veterans.
"Seeing our employees giving hugs and handshakes to all the veterans in attendance really touched my heart," Parker said. "But what stood out most was the pins worn by the Bank employees." The pins were embossed wtih "You served us. Let us serve you." Parker recalled that as the veterans went thorugh the serving line, Bank employees were not only serving them a meal; they were also helping carry their plates or coffee and juice to the tables for them.
"Seeing a vet with limited mobility, walking with a cane, and having a Bank employee serve them by helping carry their food to the table, it may seem small to some, but it shows the heart of why the Bank has chosen to honor our vets in this way," Parker continued.
Michelle Tolar, Century Next Vice President for Business Development, said the event is meaningful because it reminds us that freedom is never free.
"We should all be mindful every day and extremely respectful of those who have served our country and sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy," she said. "Life is short, and time passes by so quickly. I don't ever want to miss a great opportunity to make someone feel loved and appreciated."
Slaughter echoed those sentiments, sharing what she hopes each veteran will take away from the lunch. "I hope veterans come away feeling seen and appreciated, and connected with the commuiy that gathered together in their honor."
Those planning to attend the lunchon are asked to RSVP to Melinda Brown at Century Next, 318-232-8050.
We appreciate the Ruston Daily Leader and their coverage of our community.
