Friends of Deridder Army Air Base
Press Release 08/23/2014
Friends of the Deridder Army Air Base (DAAB) to host the 1st Annual Commemoration of the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers & “Grasshopper Fly-in” at Beauregard Regional Airport DeRidder, LA September 26 and 27th.
This Living History Event will take you back to the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers, forward thru WWII and into present day military training in Louisiana. Learn about the impact the Maneuvers had on Louisiana, the country and the world.
Friday am the event kicks off with the departure of a convoy of vintage military & civilian vehicles from historic WWII DeRidder Army Air Base to Fort Polk.
5-pm Evening concessions open….Mac’s Smoke Ring
6-9 pm 1940’s Hangar Dance in WWII DeRidder Army Air Base Hangar
Master of Ceremonies SMA (Ret) Julius W. (Bill) Gates
“General George S. Patton” returns to DeRidder
Swing to the tunes of The Red Hound Jazz Combo
saturday Join us throughout the day as we share Louisiana Maneuvers & WWII memories.
Visit the WWII Hangar & Camps to see Living History Displays
View Documentary “10 Days in September…..The Untold Story of the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers”
8:00 am $5 Pancake Breakfast hosted by EAA Chapter 1356 (Proceeds benefit Aviation Scholarships)
9:00 am Opening Ceremonies Master of Ceremonies Rick Barnickel
Posting of Colors Louisiana Tech Air Force ROTC Valkyrie Honor Guard
Pledge VFW Cole-Miers Post 3619
Invocation Rev. Rickey Robertson, Coldwater Baptist Church
Welcome Mayor of DeRidder, Ron Roberts
Keynote Speaker Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne
Guest Speakers Col. T. Glen Moore, Garrison Commander Fort Polk, LA; Michael Reese, Chairman, Fort Polk Progress; James Armes III, State Rep, Dist. 30
Taps for Fallen Soldiers Tom Knerim
Pass in Review & Fly-by of Vintage Military vehicles and aircraft
10:00 am Louisiana Maneuvers Reenactment
Lunch Concessions open….Mac’s Smoke Ring
11:00 am Weapons Demonstration
1:00 pm WWII Allies vs. Axis Battle Reenactment
Prior to the event, the documentary video, “10 Days in September….the Untold Story of the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers” will be shown to Beauregard Parish 7th & 8th graders in their classrooms.
registration: All Reenactors (in period correct uniform), Vintage Aircraft, Military Vehicles and Living History exhibitors are welcome to participate. Registration, required by Sept. 15, includes camping, &/or living history display space and meal vouchers. Online registration
http://deridderarmyairbase.com/events/e ... ation.html
Event contact: phone 337 424 9880; email
friends@deridderarmyairbase.com;
Website
http://www.deridderarmyairbase.com; or facebook
http://www.facebook.com/friendsofDAAB
