Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Meillettis Gardner | Bob Jones speaks at the Sam Houston Jones historical marker unveiling on July 13, as...... read more read more
FORT POLK, La. – The town of Merryville, southwest of DeRidder, celebrated its 100th anniversary July 13-14 with the unveiling of the Gov. Sam Houston Jones Historical Marker and the Merryville parade and festival.
The celebration started with the unveiling of Gov. Sam Houston Jones historical Marker July 13, at Merryville High School. Jones was the 47th governor of Louisiana serving from 1940 to 1944.
The historical marker will be located at the sight of his birth across from Merryville High School.
Rusty Williams of the Beauregard Parish Police Jury, representing the Merryville area, read a proclamation declaring July 13, a time of observance of Gov. Sam Houston Jones day in Beauregard Parish in recognition of his historical significant.
Louisiana state official were key to bringing the “The Louisiana Maneuvers” to Louisiana in 1941, said Brig. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general, keynote speaker at the event.
Fifty-three of the Army’s eighty-nine divisions trained in Louisiana before traveling overseas during WW II, said Chinn.
Jones once said that with “Louisiana doing her bid,” the people would be taking a real part in these maneuvers and a real part in the defense of our country.
“Governor Sam Jones was instrumental in bringing the maneuvers to Louisiana and by doing, he set in motion a chain of events that still impact this state and will for many years to come,” said Chinn.
Jones’ descendants; Lee W. Boyer, James Boyer, Bill Boyer, Catherine Groos, Bob Jones, Houston Jones, Quinn Jones and Martha Laborde were present to unveil the historical marker.
The festivities continued on July 14, with the pet parade and Merryville Centennial Celebration Parade. People lined the streets of Merryville to watch and participate in the festivities.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2012 23:28 |
| Story ID: | 92963 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 39 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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