By Michael D. Wynne
I just love when so-called “regular” people (that includes me!) honor their predecessors by writing about them. Just think about this concept, using my own family as an example: my children and grandchildren would never have full known my own wonderful parents, especially in their prime years, if I hadn’t preserved their memories and written about them. Our books will long survive us so I believe, in some esoteric way, that my parents and ancestors will always live on, forever, in the books that I write about them, especially when someone opens them up and reads them.
Verena Harp, a truly remarkable woman that I recently had the honor and pleasure of meeting and interviewing, has done the same for her heroic and legendary father, the late Paul Cornelius Ferrant (1921-2023). Born in Hammond and partly raised in Tangipahoa Parish, Verena and her Ferrant family moved to Sabine Parish and lived on Toledo Bend. In Verena’s youth, she was most impressed with church camp and loved the guidance and comradery that she received there. After graduating from Ebarb High, she went on to LC (now LCU) to become a journalist. But quickly realizing that journalism was not what she ultimately wanted, she went into education. “I certainly didn’t want to teach high school; Mom was an elementary school teacher so I followed her path,” said Verena.
Verena taught for 35 years, including at Tioga and Poland Elementary Schools, teaching every grade between kindergarten to the 8th grade, followed up by working at the parish school board office. Along the way, she married a Town Talk employee and is very proud of her 2 children and 3 grandchildren. She has been a proud citizen of Ball for a half a century.
What inspired Verena to write her book? “When God tells you to write about something, you do what he says!” And write Verena did! Verena’s father, Paul, was a true WWII hero and a prominent north Louisiana minister. He has saved hundreds of lives both on and off the battlefield for almost 6 decades until passing on to his reward at 101. He spent the last few years living with Verena, giving her the great opportunity to interview him and (brilliantly) also take notes of his many stories rather than trying to remember all that he said. All of her notes were then formed into a magnificent book that will provide inspiration and enjoyment for people for centuries to come
Her book, “World War II Veteran in the Army of Peace,” details the life of Paul Cornelius Ferrant who was a pastor in Sabine Parish over forty years. Starting as a Ponchatoula strawberry farmer, he drafted into the Army where he became an aerial gunner on 57 combat missions. This biography describes his most fascinating life and how he survived, and later thrived, coming from World War II to becoming a staunch Christian in God’s Army of Peace.
Verena said it all started when her niece started asking questions about Grandpa Paul’s life. “After dad’s passing, I knew more about dad than anyone alive. So if anyone was going to honor his career and preserve his memory, it was going to be me.” Verena shared many of the stories with this writer, each a mini-treasure for me to hear. But the military stories were an especial treat. Literally sitting on bombs in a bomber as the airplane’s tail gunner, he was constantly hit with “flak” (shells), resulting in almost lethal injuries. Oh, the missions that he flew! Two missions on D-Day alone. His brilliant military career was then followed by a ministerial career that is almost unmatched in north Louisiana history.
I am proud and honored to highlight Verena's book on her father. The book was labeled as the #1 new release in WWII related biographies. Verena’s book is available on Amazon.
