Oldest living relative of heritage veterans attends Fort Polk ceremony

By Travis Boyle

The oldest surviving relative of the original landowners of Fort Polk, Estelle Gill, 95, was on hand Saturday at the Celebration conducted at Main Post Chapel here. She is shown here standing between Fort Polk's Commanding General James Yarbrough and his wife.

By Staff reports

Leesville Daily Leader

Sun Nov 08, 2009, 08:02 AM CST

Print This |

Fort Polk, La. -

The oldest surviving relative of the original landowners of Fort Polk, Estelle Gill, 95, was on hand Saturday at the Celebration conducted at Main Post Chapel here.
The celebration is part of an ongoing effort to recognize the heritage and sacrifices of families and their descendants who lived on what is now Fort Polk from 1820 to 1941. Many persons were displaced from their property and homes so Camp Polk could be built as the United States prepared for World War II.
The ceremony honored the tremendous sacrifices of heritage veterans and also featured a color guard of soldiers in period uniforms, including the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and today.
Later in the afternoon, heritage families vistied key homesteads and cemeteries during tours of the Fort Polk training area. Guided bus tours of the Peason Ridge training area historic sites and cemeteries were also available.
For more information on the Heritage Project, call Michelle McKenzie at (337) 531-0916.

Loading commenting interface...

Leesville, LA Yellow Pages

Find whatever you're looking for
with the Totally Local Yellow Pages:

Search provided by Premier Guide

Featured Businesses

Buy photo reprints

Snapshots offers high-quality color pictures taken throughout the year by our award-winning photographers. You’ll also find newspaper page reprints and gift items.