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Leesville, La. —
Local officials and military officials came together Wednesday morning at the Landmark Hotel in Leesville to sign the Army Community Covenant, an agreement between the state and Fort Polk to assist communities in an effort to find ways to support the military and their families and improve their quality of life.
Speakers included Llewellyn (Biscuit) Smith, president of the Beauregard Parish Police Jury; Jim Tuck, president of the Vernon Parish Police Jury; Brig. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn, commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk; and John Fleming, U.S. representative of the fourth congressional district of Louisiana.
Smith said Fort Polk means a lot to him because it is the history of his family and is where they grew up. He also stated it was an honor for himself and the Police Jury to be a part of the covenant signing.
Tuck stated that soldiers make sacrifices everyday, sometimes including the ultimate sacrifice, which allows citizens to enjoy all the freedoms and privileges they take for granite everyday. He also said spouses and children should not be forgotten who also make these sacrifices everyday. Tuck said the citizens of Vernon Parish pledge their honor and support to JRTC and Fort Polk, the soldiers and their families.
"Vernon Parish is proud to be the home of JRTC and Fort Polk, home of our heroes," he said.
Chinn thanked everyone for their commitment in helping improve the quality of life for soldiers, their families, retirees and anyone else who has worked at Fort Polk. He said the signing of the covenant re-affirms the partnership in which they enjoy. He also said the "I'll Be Home for Christmas" parade for returning units from Afghanistan, who for many it was their second or third time, said they have never been welcomed home like that before, and that it will be a day they will never forget.
Fleming stated there are great things to come and that the commitment and relationship between the community and base could not be better. He also said he is delighted to hear and give input for school improvements, money for infrastructure and continued growth on the base. He stated they have a $200 million remodeling project for the infrastructure on base as well as an agreement to expand the base by roughly 4,900 acres.
"Your commitment and willingness to be a state holder and partner in these relationships are extremely important," Fleming said.
In addition to Smith, Tuck, Chinn and Fleming, others who signed the covenant included Rep. James Armes; Clarence Beebe, mayor of Hornbeck; Donna Duvall, mayor of Rosepine; Jackie Self, superintendent of the Vernon Parish School District; Rhonda Plummer, vice-president of the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce; Rep. Dorothy Sue Hill; Robert Rose, mayor of Leesville; Roger Shuck, Garrison Commander of JRTC and Fort Polk; Mike Reese, president of Fort Polk Progress; Command Sgt. Maj. LaMarquis Knowles, the command sergeant major of JRTC and Fort Polk; Rep. Frankie Howard; Ken Freeman, mayor of Many; J. Michael Slay, president of the Sabine Parish Police Jury; Ronald W. Semerena, Garrison Sergeant Major of JRTC and Fort Polk; Sen. Gerald Long; Leroy Cooley, mayor of Anacoco; Larry Carroll, mayor of Merryville; John Marcello, president of the Beauregard Parish Chamber of Commerce; Sen. John Smith; Ron Roberts, mayor of Deridder; Freddie Boswell, mayor of New Llano; Tim Cooley, superintendent of the Beauregard Parish School District; and Lewis McBryde, president of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce.
Local officials and military officials came together Wednesday morning at the Landmark Hotel in Leesville to sign the Army Community Covenant, an agreement between the state and Fort Polk to assist communities in an effort to find ways to support the military and their families and improve their quality of life.
Speakers included Llewellyn (Biscuit) Smith, president of the Beauregard Parish Police Jury; Jim Tuck, president of the Vernon Parish Police Jury; Brig. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn, commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk; and John Fleming, U.S. representative of the fourth congressional district of Louisiana.
Smith said Fort Polk means a lot to him because it is the history of his family and is where they grew up. He also stated it was an honor for himself and the Police Jury to be a part of the covenant signing.
Tuck stated that soldiers make sacrifices everyday, sometimes including the ultimate sacrifice, which allows citizens to enjoy all the freedoms and privileges they take for granite everyday. He also said spouses and children should not be forgotten who also make these sacrifices everyday. Tuck said the citizens of Vernon Parish pledge their honor and support to JRTC and Fort Polk, the soldiers and their families.
"Vernon Parish is proud to be the home of JRTC and Fort Polk, home of our heroes," he said.
Chinn thanked everyone for their commitment in helping improve the quality of life for soldiers, their families, retirees and anyone else who has worked at Fort Polk. He said the signing of the covenant re-affirms the partnership in which they enjoy. He also said the "I'll Be Home for Christmas" parade for returning units from Afghanistan, who for many it was their second or third time, said they have never been welcomed home like that before, and that it will be a day they will never forget.
Fleming stated there are great things to come and that the commitment and relationship between the community and base could not be better. He also said he is delighted to hear and give input for school improvements, money for infrastructure and continued growth on the base. He stated they have a $200 million remodeling project for the infrastructure on base as well as an agreement to expand the base by roughly 4,900 acres.
"Your commitment and willingness to be a state holder and partner in these relationships are extremely important," Fleming said.
In addition to Smith, Tuck, Chinn and Fleming, others who signed the covenant included Rep. James Armes; Clarence Beebe, mayor of Hornbeck; Donna Duvall, mayor of Rosepine; Jackie Self, superintendent of the Vernon Parish School District; Rhonda Plummer, vice-president of the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce; Rep. Dorothy Sue Hill; Robert Rose, mayor of Leesville; Roger Shuck, Garrison Commander of JRTC and Fort Polk; Mike Reese, president of Fort Polk Progress; Command Sgt. Maj. LaMarquis Knowles, the command sergeant major of JRTC and Fort Polk; Rep. Frankie Howard; Ken Freeman, mayor of Many; J. Michael Slay, president of the Sabine Parish Police Jury; Ronald W. Semerena, Garrison Sergeant Major of JRTC and Fort Polk; Sen. Gerald Long; Leroy Cooley, mayor of Anacoco; Larry Carroll, mayor of Merryville; John Marcello, president of the Beauregard Parish Chamber of Commerce; Sen. John Smith; Ron Roberts, mayor of Deridder; Freddie Boswell, mayor of New Llano; Tim Cooley, superintendent of the Beauregard Parish School District; and Lewis McBryde, president of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce.
