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The 2011 Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade grand marshall will be retired Col. William (Bill) Howerton of Leesville.
This year's parade will also honor approximately 4,000 Fort Polk soldiers recently returned from war who will lead the parade, marching on foot, from the Leesville High School Wampus Cat Stadium to La. 476 at its intersection with Third Street in downtown Leesville.
As a Texas Christian University graduate, Howerton entered active duty and completed assignments at Fort Carson, Fort Gordon, Fort Hood, Fort Leavenworth, Fort McNair, Fort Monroe and Fort Polk. In addition to those duty stations, Howerton also served in Alaska, Germany, Korea and Vietnam. During his career, Howerton commanded three batteries, two battalions and a division artillery. His last assignment was as the assistant division commander for Support, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Polk.
During Howerton's 50-plus years of service to the United States, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with one or more oak leaf clusters.
Upon retirement from the military, Howerton joined Sabine State Bank where he would become the area vice president working with branch offices in Vernon and Beauregard parishes. Upon leaving Sabine State Bank, Howerton worked at Fort Polk as a liaison officer, army contractor and consultant.
Howerton and his wife Elize have four children: two daughters and two sons. All four have served in uniform for their country and are classified as veterans. His two daughters have returned to civilian life, as has his eldest son, who retired from the Army. Both sons have made multiple trips to the the Middle East. Howerton's youngest son, who has spent four years in the Middle East, is now a Senior Service Fellow at Harvard University.
The couple have eight grandchildren, six boys and two girls. Two of their grandsons have already begun developing their own military careers.
The Howertons have made their home in Leesville since retiring from military service. Howerton has held offices with the Association of the United States Army, the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce and its Military Affair Committee, the Leesville Lions Club, the Leesville Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Louisiana Bankers Association and has served on the Louisiana Governor’s Military Advisory Board as well as the Governor’s Liaison to Fort Polk.
The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Key elements of the parade are the 4,000 marching soldiers and the Purple Heart Float, which will carry wounded warriors from Fort Polk. The theme is “I’ll be Home for Christmas” in honor of the recently returned soldiers. Merchants along the parade route will be honoring our soldiers with thousands of miniature flags and confetti shot from 10 confetti cannons. Special honors will be given to the family members of fallen soldiers.
The local participants will follow with bands and floats, and Santa will arrive on his big red fire engine. The sponsor for the Christmas Parade will be chamber member Barksdale Federal Credit Union. At the parade's conclusion, there will be cash door prizes as well as awards for best float in each category. All parade goers and parade participants are encouraged to follow Santa at the end of the parade to the judge's stage located in front of the Vernon Parish Police Jury office.
Preceding the parade from noon to 3 p.m. will be the I'll be Home for Christmas Celebration, hosted by the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce, at the field west of Leesville High School’s Wampus Cat Stadium. A variety of foods, (brisket, gumbo, chicken, pulled pork, dirty rice, boudin, hot dogs and a cake to feed 4,000) will be served, with activities offered to more than 6,000 family members and soldiers.
At 3:30 p.m. a change of command ceremony for the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division will take place at the Leesville High School's Wampus Cat Stadium. During the change of commande, the 4-10 will uncase its colors to signify its return to Fort Polk and a new colonel and command sergeant major will take the helm for the brigade. Due to space limitations, the change of command ceremony is by invitation only.
Merchants, churches, civic organizations, clubs and individuals interested in making donations for food or volunteering to help serve soldiers and their families during the pre-parade activities may call Lee Birmingham at (337) 208-4125 or Mark Koury at (337) 397-0501.
Merchants and individuals interested in making donations to help offset the cost and to help provide transportation for surviving family members can contact the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce at 337-238-0349.
Media wishing to cover the I'll be Home for Christmas Celebration, the change of command ceremony or the parade should contact Executive Director of the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce Anne Causey at 337-238-0349.
The 2011 Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade grand marshall will be retired Col. William (Bill) Howerton of Leesville.
This year's parade will also honor approximately 4,000 Fort Polk soldiers recently returned from war who will lead the parade, marching on foot, from the Leesville High School Wampus Cat Stadium to La. 476 at its intersection with Third Street in downtown Leesville.
As a Texas Christian University graduate, Howerton entered active duty and completed assignments at Fort Carson, Fort Gordon, Fort Hood, Fort Leavenworth, Fort McNair, Fort Monroe and Fort Polk. In addition to those duty stations, Howerton also served in Alaska, Germany, Korea and Vietnam. During his career, Howerton commanded three batteries, two battalions and a division artillery. His last assignment was as the assistant division commander for Support, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Polk.
During Howerton's 50-plus years of service to the United States, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with one or more oak leaf clusters.
Upon retirement from the military, Howerton joined Sabine State Bank where he would become the area vice president working with branch offices in Vernon and Beauregard parishes. Upon leaving Sabine State Bank, Howerton worked at Fort Polk as a liaison officer, army contractor and consultant.
Howerton and his wife Elize have four children: two daughters and two sons. All four have served in uniform for their country and are classified as veterans. His two daughters have returned to civilian life, as has his eldest son, who retired from the Army. Both sons have made multiple trips to the the Middle East. Howerton's youngest son, who has spent four years in the Middle East, is now a Senior Service Fellow at Harvard University.
The couple have eight grandchildren, six boys and two girls. Two of their grandsons have already begun developing their own military careers.
The Howertons have made their home in Leesville since retiring from military service. Howerton has held offices with the Association of the United States Army, the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce and its Military Affair Committee, the Leesville Lions Club, the Leesville Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Louisiana Bankers Association and has served on the Louisiana Governor’s Military Advisory Board as well as the Governor’s Liaison to Fort Polk.
The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Key elements of the parade are the 4,000 marching soldiers and the Purple Heart Float, which will carry wounded warriors from Fort Polk. The theme is “I’ll be Home for Christmas” in honor of the recently returned soldiers. Merchants along the parade route will be honoring our soldiers with thousands of miniature flags and confetti shot from 10 confetti cannons. Special honors will be given to the family members of fallen soldiers.
The local participants will follow with bands and floats, and Santa will arrive on his big red fire engine. The sponsor for the Christmas Parade will be chamber member Barksdale Federal Credit Union. At the parade's conclusion, there will be cash door prizes as well as awards for best float in each category. All parade goers and parade participants are encouraged to follow Santa at the end of the parade to the judge's stage located in front of the Vernon Parish Police Jury office.
Preceding the parade from noon to 3 p.m. will be the I'll be Home for Christmas Celebration, hosted by the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce, at the field west of Leesville High School’s Wampus Cat Stadium. A variety of foods, (brisket, gumbo, chicken, pulled pork, dirty rice, boudin, hot dogs and a cake to feed 4,000) will be served, with activities offered to more than 6,000 family members and soldiers.
At 3:30 p.m. a change of command ceremony for the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division will take place at the Leesville High School's Wampus Cat Stadium. During the change of commande, the 4-10 will uncase its colors to signify its return to Fort Polk and a new colonel and command sergeant major will take the helm for the brigade. Due to space limitations, the change of command ceremony is by invitation only.
Merchants, churches, civic organizations, clubs and individuals interested in making donations for food or volunteering to help serve soldiers and their families during the pre-parade activities may call Lee Birmingham at (337) 208-4125 or Mark Koury at (337) 397-0501.
Merchants and individuals interested in making donations to help offset the cost and to help provide transportation for surviving family members can contact the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce at 337-238-0349.
Media wishing to cover the I'll be Home for Christmas Celebration, the change of command ceremony or the parade should contact Executive Director of the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce Anne Causey at 337-238-0349.
