Changes

==Career==

==Career==

Carson was a platoon]] leader in the [[United States Army]] in [[South Vietnam]] during the [[Vietnam War]] . He was wounded and discharged and returned to the USA. He graduated in 1971 with a bachelor's degree from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]] and three years later received his [[Juris Doctor]]ate degree from [[Tulane University]] Law School in New Orleans. He opened his law practice in Covington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pview.findlaw.com/view/2879092_1?noconfirm=0|title=Lane A. Carson, Covington|publisher=findlaw.com|accessdate=April 8, 2022}}</ref>

Carson was a platoon leader in the [[United States Army]] in [[South Vietnam]] during the [[Vietnam War]] . He was wounded and discharged and returned to the USA. He graduated in 1971 with a bachelor's degree from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]] and three years later received his [[Juris Doctor]]ate degree from [[Tulane University]] Law School in New Orleans. He opened his law practice in Covington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pview.findlaw.com/view/2879092_1?noconfirm=0|title=Lane A. Carson, Covington|publisher=findlaw.com|accessdate=April 8, 2022}}</ref>

He served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976 to 1983, having represented House District 99 in Orleans Parish first as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] (1976–1977), and thereafter as a member of the [[Republican Party]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembers1812_2008.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2008|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|accessdate=April 8, 2022}}</ref> Carson was the first veteran of the Vietnam War to serve in the Louisiana legislature.

He served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976 to 1983, having represented House District 99 in Orleans Parish first as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] (1976–1977), and thereafter as a member of the [[Republican Party]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembers1812_2008.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2008|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|accessdate=April 8, 2022}}</ref> Carson was the first veteran of the Vietnam War to serve in the Louisiana legislature.

Carson belongs to many veterans organizations and was appointed by Republican Governor [[Mike Foster|Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.]], to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.  He was also appointed to the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame Museum Board.

Carson belongs to many veterans organizations and was appointed by Republican Governor [[Mike Foster|Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.]], to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.  He was also appointed to the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame Museum Board.

In 2007, then Governor-elect Bobby Jindal chose Carson to serve as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs for the State of Louisiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=11|title=Governor-Elect Bobby Jindal Announces Secretaries|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=December 5, 2007}}</ref> Carson led the department through a  transition period in veterans' healthcare, veterans' job creation, and upgrades to the post-9/11 GI Bill of Rights.  After more than a decade of mismanagement and bureaucratic red tape, Carson revived plans to construct the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville in Vernon Parish in west Louisiana]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksla.com/story/12756960/central-louisiana-to-get-veterans-cemetery?redirected=true|title=Central Louisiana to get Veterans Cemetery|publisher=ksla.com|accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref> and successfully secured the long-awaited Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell in St. Tammany Parish. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://theadvocate.com/news/6793603-123/new-veterans-cemetery-on-track|title=Slidell Veterans Cemetery to Open in 2014|publisher=nola.com|accessdate=August 21, 2013}}</ref> Carson also led the department through two [[hurricane]]s, Gustav and Isaac, which made landfall on the Louisiana coast.

In 2007, then Governor-elect Bobby Jindal chose Carson to serve as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs for the State of Louisiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=11|title=Governor-Elect Bobby Jindal Announces Secretaries|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=December 5, 2007}}</ref> Carson led the department through a  transition period in veterans' healthcare, veterans' job creation, and upgrades to the post-9/11 GI Bill of Rights.  After more than a decade of mismanagement and bureaucratic red tape, Carson revived plans to construct the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville in Vernon Parish in west Louisiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksla.com/story/12756960/central-louisiana-to-get-veterans-cemetery?redirected=true|title=Central Louisiana to get Veterans Cemetery|publisher=ksla.com|accessdate=April 8. 2022}}</ref> and successfully secured the long-awaited Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell in St. Tammany Parish. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://theadvocate.com/news/6793603-123/new-veterans-cemetery-on-track|title=Slidell Veterans Cemetery to Open in 2014|publisher=nola.com|accessdate=August 21, 2013}}</ref> Carson also led the department through two [[hurricane]]s, Gustav and Isaac, which made landfall on the Louisiana coast.

Carson served on the Governor's Emergency Response Team as the liaison to veterans who needed assistance. Carson retired from the state after serving as Secretary for five years. After Carson's retirement, his Deputy Secretary, David LaCerte, succeeded him as the interim secretary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/louisiana_veterans_affairs_sec.html|title=Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Retires, deputy Secretary to Serve as Interim|publisher=nola.com|accessdate=December 28, 2012}}</ref> His permanent successor as Veterans Affairs Secretary was former [[U.S. Representative]] [[Rodney Alexander]] of Jackson Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=4182|title=Governor Jindal Appoints Rodney Alexander as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=August 7, 2013}}</ref>

Carson served on the Governor's Emergency Response Team as the liaison to veterans who needed assistance. Carson retired from the state after serving as Secretary for five years. After Carson's retirement, his Deputy Secretary, David LaCerte, succeeded him as the interim secretary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/louisiana_veterans_affairs_sec.html|title=Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Retires, deputy Secretary to Serve as Interim|publisher=nola.com|accessdate=December 28, 2012}}</ref> His permanent successor as Veterans Affairs Secretary was former [[U.S. Representative]] [[Rodney Alexander]] of Jackson Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=4182|title=Governor Jindal Appoints Rodney Alexander as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=August 7, 2013}}</ref>