GuForta Polkrdian www.thefortpolkguardian.com Vol. 38, No. 49 Published for the community of Fort Polk, La. Dec. 9, 2011 See 4,000 troops march in Leesville parade VERNON PARISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE of the recently returned Soldiers. Special honors Chamber President Ranelle Birmingham. will be given to the family members of fallen Sol- “The community’s outpouring of love for our “I’ll be home for Christmas, you can plan on diers. The Grand Marshal for this year’s parade Soldiers and their eagerness to participate in the me,” –– Recorded by Bing Crosby, 1943, and theme of is retired Col. William (Bill) Howerton of party and parade has been overwhelming. this year’s Leesville Christmas parade. Leesville. Please make plans to attend and be part of this At the parade’s conclusion, there will be cash history-making event.” LEESVILLE, La. –– Are you ready for a big, door prizes as well as awards for best float in “Leesville owes much of its identity to Fort old-fashioned Christmas parade complete with each category. All parade goers and participants Polk and the Army,” said Leesville Mayor Robert confetti and thousands of marching Soldiers? are encouraged to follow Santa at the end of the Rose. “This is an unparalleled honor to walk in a The Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce, parade to the judge’s stage located in front of the parade with the 10th Mountain Soldiers. My area businesses and community members are set Vernon Parish Police Jury office. hope and goal is to celebrate not only the great to honor thousands of Fort Polk Soldiers return- “This event, which celebrates the return of our spirit of the season, but the enduring spirit of ing from combat in Afghanistan during the Soldiers and honors their service to our country, American freedom these men and women help chamber’s annual Christmas Parade Saturday. is the highlight of my year as president of the to preserve.” Activities begin from noon to 3 p.m. with a Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce,” said Please see Parade, page 6A “welcome home” honor party, hosted by the Ver- non Parish Chamber of Commerce, at the field west of Leesville High School’s Wampus Cat Sta- dium. A variety of foods (brisket, gumbo, chicken, pulled pork, dirty rice, boudin, hot dogs and a cake to feed 4,000) will be served and activities offered to more than 6,000 family members and Soldiers who recently returned to Fort Polk from Afghanistan. A change of command ceremony for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division takes place at 3:30 p.m. at the Leesville High School’s Wampus Cat Stadium. Due to space lim- itations, the change of command ceremony is by invitation only. Following the change of command ceremony, the Christmas Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m., led by 4,000 marching Soldiers and the Purple Heart float. Merchants along the parade route honor Sol- diers with flags and confetti and extend their regular hours Saturday till 5 p.m. Studio 101 Hair Salon will provide snacks for military fami- lies until the parade starts. Local participants will follow the marching Soldiers down the parade route with bands and floats with Santa arriving on his big red fire en- gine. The sponsor for the Christmas parade is cham- ber member Barksdale Federal Credit Union. The theme is, “I’ll be home for Christmas,” in honor Weekend weather Inside the Guardian 60 54 54 Tax preparation ....... 3A Toy drive .................. 1B Tracking Santa ........ 4A Teen with values ...... 2B 32 29 36 Snowflake fest ......... 8A Post tree lighting ...... 8B Today Saturday Sunday VViieewwppooiinntt A holiday note from the Army’s home front By Lt. Gen. MICHAEL FERRITER we’ve met many whose sense of unteer, thank you. Thank you for Guardian IMCOM Commander service far exceeded their job de- choosing to go the extra mile to scription — really dedicated people make a difference for Soldiers, civil- Editorial Staff Caring exemplifies the spirit of at a housing office, Youth Sports ians and Families. Brig. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn the holiday season. coaches and Child Development Let’s all enjoy what the season of- Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general One of the world’s greatest lead- Services, to name just a few. My fam- fers, wherever we are, and enjoy ers was a gate guard who worked at ily’s experience is not time with friends and Col. Roger L. Shuck Garrison commander the main gate of Fort Benning, Ga. unique. loved ones. As we cele- Jim Beinkemper What made Mr. McCoy so great was Every Soldier and brate, let’s remember Public Affairs officer that he knew his job was more than Family member can those who are deployed Kim Reischling checking ID cards. With his awe- point to service and extend extra sup- Command information officer some attitude, he conveyed to every providers on our gar- port to their Families at Chuck Cannon person passing through his lane that risons who go out of home. Jean Dubiel he cared. their way to help. Let’s also be mindful Editors Somehow he succeeded in mak- The same sense of of those around us who Angie Thorne ing a difference just through his gen- caring is why so many may find this time of After Hours editor uine message of “Welcome home!” Soldiers, Family mem- year more difficult. For Jennifer Dorval I’ve talked with many people who bers, civilians and re- those who need assis- Rachel Reischling had contact with him — Soldiers, tirees volunteer their tance, our installations Sarah Peachey parents visiting their Soldiers, civil- time and talents across provide a number of Staff writers ians going to work, and visiting re- the installation. Our Soldier and Family sup- Editorial Offices tirees who were stationed at Fort volunteers welcome FERRITER port services. If you are Building 4919, Magnolia Street Fort Polk, LA 71459-5060 Benning years ago, and all agreed. newcomers. They unsure where to go, Voice (337) 531-4033 He made a difference. teach classes, mentor children and start with Army Community Service Fax (337) 531-1401 We’ve all seen this type of in- teens and run playgroups for young or the chaplain’s office. Email: [email protected] spired leadership on every installa- mothers and toddlers. They plan From my Family to you and Trading post ads: tion. Showing that we care exempli- outings for Wounded Warriors, yours, we wish you safe and happy [email protected] fies the very spirit of the holiday build houses for disabled veterans, holidays and a blessed new year. Fort Polk Homepage http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil season. support survivors, help Editor’s Note: Lt. Gen. Michael The great prepare Families for de- Ferriter assumed command of the Advertising Steve Colwell thing about be- ployment and throw U.S. Army Installation Management GeSteveneral ColwellManager ing part of the welcome home parties. Command at Joint Base San Antonio (31General8) 352 Manager-3618 Commentary PO Box 448 / 904 South Drive Army Family is Caring and selfless Nov. 17. Natchi(318)toch es,352-3618 LA 71457 For advertisP.O.ing Boxinquiri 448es contact: that caring goes service is ingrained in He is also Assistant Chief of Staff Jennifer L. Russell beyond the holiday season. It is day our Army culture, and we are much for Installation Management. IM- sales@th904efor tSouthpolkg uardian.cDrive om in, day out and year-round. stronger because of it. COM is the Army’s home. Its mis- The Guardian, a civilian enter- prise newspaper, is an authorized Margie and I and our four kids Army strong! sion is to provide Soldiers, civilians publication for members of the U.S. have lived and grown as a Family on To everyone who has extended a and their Families with a quality of Army. Contents of the Guardian are Army installations around the helping hand this past year, whether life commensurate with the quality not necessarily official views of, or en- dorsed by, the U.S. Government, De- world. In addition to Mr. McCoy, in a professional capacity or as a vol- of their service. partment of Defense, Department of the Army or Fort Polk. The Guardian is published weekly by the Public Affairs Office, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Trading post ads rid house of unwanted items Polk. Printed circulation is 13,000. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available This is just one example of the submission is Tuesday at noon. for purchase, use or patronage with- GUARDIAN STAFF out regard to race, color, religion, sex, many items that can be sold in Ads must be 25 words or less and national origin, age, marital status, October began the trifecta of trading post ads. include a contact phone number. physical handicap, political affiliation holiday celebrations that ends with Maybe your kids have out- You will have to resubmit your ad or any other nonmerit factor of the Christmas. While taking down one grown their toys, or you have each week if you want it listed purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation of this set of decorations to make good-condition maternity wear more than once. policy of equal opportunity by an ad- room for the next, have that you don’t need anymore. To submit your ad, e-mail it di- vertiser will result in the refusal to you ever felt over- All these things qualify for a rectly to [email protected] print advertising from that source. All editorial content of the whelmed? There are free classified ad in the Trad- or fill out the form printed weekly Guardian is prepared, edited, pro- probably things that did- ing post.