THE RAGIN CAJUN
The Cajun (Pat Arceneaux) is a displaced Acadien from Lafayette, Louisiana now living in South Park township, Pennsylvania.
In 1755 the British began their forced deportation of the Acadian population of Nova Scotia, or Acadie, as it was known to the Acadians before the control of their region by the British. The Acadians were torn from heir Families, their farms and all their possessions and from the land that they had loved and developed. They were dispersed along the east coast of the British colonies from Maine to Georgia, and to England and France. Their wanderings took them from Canada to Europe and from the United States to as far south as the Falkland Islands. The Arceneaux's landed in Louisiana where Louis Arceneaux established a home near Opelousas. Legend has it that Louis was immortalized by Longfellow in his Poem "Evangeline". For more on this see: http://www.cajunculture.com/Other/Evangeline.htm. For additional information send request to: Arceneaux Descendants Acadiens, Inc. P. O. Box 53054, Lafayette, LA 70505-3054.
I have added a number of pictures of my Family to this version of my home page, if you have any comments or questions e-mail me by clicking HERE.
These are the my Sisters, from left to right, in front are Suzanne and Aline, in back row are Irma (Motsy,Deceased)), Edna (Nana), Doris(Deceased) and Lucille (Deceased).
These are my Brothers and I, from left to right, Patrick (Me), Robert, Edgar
(Brother, Deceased), Charlie and Francis.
These are more Brothers:
Donald was lost when the plane he was in crashed off the Florida coast while searching for Naval Flyers lost in the Bermuda Triangle. On December 5, 1945 a flight of 3 Navy TBM’s was reported overdue and presumed down somewhere off the coast of Florida. This was Flight 19 that was reported lost in the "Bermuda Triangle". At 7:30 p.m. Donald joined 3 aviators and 9 other crew members in A PBM patrol plane in the search for Flight 19. The following is an excerpt from an article in the Naval Aviation News (Jun.1973)
"One search aircraft was lost during the operation. At 1927,(5,December,1945) PBM-5, Buno 59225, was airborne from Banana River with 3 aviators aboard and a crew of 10. At 1930, the aircraft radioed an "out" report to its home base and was not heard from again. Cruising off the coast of Florida, the tanker S.S. Gaines Mills was sailing through the dark night when it sent the following message, "At 1950, observed a burst of flames, apparently an explosion, leaping flames 100 feet high and burning for ten minutes. Position 28 degrees 59 minutes north, 80 degrees 25 minutes west. At present, passing through a big pool of oil. Stopped, circled area using searchlights, looking for survivors. None found." Her captain later confirmed that he saw a plane catch fire and immediately crash, exploding upon the sea. A message from USS Solomons (CVE 67), which was participating in the search, later confirmed both the merchantman's report and the fears of many at Banana River. "Our air search radar showed a plane after takeoff from Banana River last night joining with another plane, (the second PBM) then separating and proceeding on course 045 degrees at exact time S.S. Gaines Mills sighted flames and in exact spot the above plane disappeared from the radar screen and never reappeared." No wreckage was sighted and according to witnesses there was little likelihood that any could have been recovered due to a very rough sea. The next day, water samples, taken in the area, developed an oily film. The area was not buoyed due to the heavy seas nor were diving or salvage operations ever conducted. The depth of the water was 78 feet and the site was close to the Gulf Stream. During the Board's examination of the disappearance of the PBM, several witnesses were questioned concerning gas fumes and smoking regulations, which were reportedly well posted and rigidly enforced aboard all PBMs. Although the Board's report is not a verbatim record and no accusations were made, there seems to be enough inference present to cause one to suspect that the Board was aware of the PBM's nickname, "the flying gas tank."
In 2005 NBC made a Documentary “THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE-STARTLING NEW SECRETS” When the NBC crew was in Florida making the film I received a call from NBC asking if I knew Donald Arceneaux who was identified as a member of the flight crew of the PBY that was lost during the search for Flight 19. I acknowledged that he was my brother. At that time I was told that part of the Documentary included the lost of the PBY. NBC was trying to locate relatives of the Flight crew and I was the only one they could identify. NBC was interested in interviewing members of Donald’s family and since the majority of the family was in Lafayette I referred them to Aline. The Program Director and film crew went to Lafayette and interviewed most of the family at the family home. The interview was included in the final version of the documentary. The completed Documentary was shown in November 2005 on the Sci Fi channel and was narrated by Lester Holt. "
Richard flew 30 missions over Germany in WW II and several missions ferrying planes to the far east during the Korean War. Richard passed away June 28, 1962.Richard was navigator of a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 351st Bombardment Group and was decorated with a third Oak Leaf Cluster to his Air Medal for "meritorious achievement" on more than a score of combat missions over Europe. The citation accompanying the award read in part: "The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this officer upon these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States." It goes on to say that "Lt. Arceneaux, 20 years old, was graduated from Carencro High School in 1941 and before entering the army June 1, 1943, was a student at Southwestern Louisiana Institute. His Parents are Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Arceneaux. Their daughter Lt. (j.g.) Aline Arceneaux, is in the WAVES in Washington, D.C. Two sons -- Donald and Edgar -- are in the Navy."
This is a picture of the Aunts and Uncles taken at a Family Reunion in July 1978.
From Left to Right,Aunt Marie, Uncle Leon, Uncle Nook, Aunt Bluey, Uncle George, Aunt Ruth, Mama(Aunt Edna), Aunt Meme, Aunt Carita, Uncle Tom.
This is the Good Looking one, However now we call him
"Chief Full-A-Bull" He is my grandson Sean Arceneaux.
He lives in Lafayette, Louisiana. He is Nineteen,years old and is a Freshman at Louisiana University at Lafayette. He is doing well in school this year, Great kid. .
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