DeRIDDER, La. -- Beauregard Parish community members welcomed the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk's 519th Military Police Battalion soldiers and their families for its third annual Military Appreciation Day Nov. 27 in DeRidder, Louisiana.
"We just wanted to show our appreciation to them and give thanks for all that they do," said Misty Clanton, City of DeRidder Mayor.
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The DeRidder High School Lady Dragons softball team plays ball with soldiers from the 519th Military Police Battalion. | Photo courtesy of Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce. |
Beauregard Parish and the 519th MP Bn are community partners, and every year they come together for a day of fellowship to honor that partnership.
Members of the DeRidder Police Department and Fire Department cooked lunch for the soldiers and their families, consisting of hamburgers, sausage and more.
Then, 519th MP Bn soldiers took part in a ball game with the DeRidder High School Lady Dragons softball team, 2018 Louisiana High School state champions.
"They had the opportunity to play an incredible game against our high school girls, who are the state softball champs," Clanton said. "That was a really fun game. Everybody got into it."
The Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce hosted the event with the support from the City of DeRidder, the DeRidder Police Department, the DeRidder Fire Department, Beauregard Daily News, the Beaufair Queens, the DeRidder Lady Dragons Softball Team, the DeRidder Junior High School Student Council, Soileau's Cajun Specialty Meats, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, Eric Fusilier - State Farm Agent, J&J Exterminating, Walmart, Checkers, Popeye's and Wendy's.
"The [soldiers] really loved it. I think that they had a great day," Clanton said. "I hope that they took away that we are really grateful for their service to our country."
