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On Dec. 25, 1943, Mess Sgt. Mack Fawler, under the command of Maj. Lewis W. Stocking, prepared Christmas dinner for the 642nd Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group stationed at the then DeRidder Army Air Base. Two months later,February 1944, these 200-plus young men left DeRidder and were deployed to the WWII European theater, where many gave their lives so that Americans can enjoy the rich freedoms they have today.
On Dec. 25, 2011 some 68 years later, the friends of the DeRidder Army Airbase will celebrate the return of our troops by recreating this event. A Christmas dinner, similar to the one of 1943, will be catered by Mrs. Emily and served by the friends of the DeRidder Army Air Base at 1 p.m. on Dec. 25 at the Beauregard Regional Airport.
A special invitation is extended to soldiers returned from deployment, as well as any active and veteran military members who may not have family in the area and would otherwise be spending Christmas day alone. Also invited are those whose paths crossed with the historic DeRidder Army Air Base.
While reservation are helpful, all guests are welcome.
Contact Friends of DeRidder Army Air Base (DAAB) 1220 1st Ave. DeRidder, La. 70634; (337) 462-8039; (337) 238-1024 or online at www.deridderarmyairbase.com/christmasdinner.
On Dec. 25, 1943, Mess Sgt. Mack Fawler, under the command of Maj. Lewis W. Stocking, prepared Christmas dinner for the 642nd Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group stationed at the then DeRidder Army Air Base. Two months later,February 1944, these 200-plus young men left DeRidder and were deployed to the WWII European theater, where many gave their lives so that Americans can enjoy the rich freedoms they have today.
On Dec. 25, 2011 some 68 years later, the friends of the DeRidder Army Airbase will celebrate the return of our troops by recreating this event. A Christmas dinner, similar to the one of 1943, will be catered by Mrs. Emily and served by the friends of the DeRidder Army Air Base at 1 p.m. on Dec. 25 at the Beauregard Regional Airport.
A special invitation is extended to soldiers returned from deployment, as well as any active and veteran military members who may not have family in the area and would otherwise be spending Christmas day alone. Also invited are those whose paths crossed with the historic DeRidder Army Air Base.
While reservation are helpful, all guests are welcome.
Contact Friends of DeRidder Army Air Base (DAAB) 1220 1st Ave. DeRidder, La. 70634; (337) 462-8039; (337) 238-1024 or online at www.deridderarmyairbase.com/christmasdinner.
