Celebrating Central Louisiana's Rich Military Heritage -- Hon. Rodney Alexander

Floor Speech

CELEBRATING CENTRAL LOUISIANA'S RICH MILITARY HERITAGE -- HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER (Extensions of Remarks - September 30, 2008)

HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER
OF LOUISIANA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Monday, September 29, 2008

* Mr. ALEXANDER. -Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 66th anniversary of the creation of the Airborne at Camp Claiborne, La., and to celebrate Central Louisiana's rich military heritage.

* Central Louisiana has strong historic ties to America's military history, from colonial days to the present, having served as a major training location for the U.S. military forces in World War I, World War II, as well as more recent conflicts around the world.

* On August 16, 1942, the 101st Airborne Division was created at Camp Claiborne, La. The 101st Airborne had a ``rendezvous with destiny'' to defend American interests on the battlefields of the world since World War II.

* To commemorate this day in history, the City of Alexandria and the City of Pineville, with Louisiana State University (LSU) at Alexandria, are cosponsoring a historic event on October 3, 2008.

* This celebration will recognize and honor the service and sacrifices of the 1st Battalion of the 509th Airborne Infantry, currently based at Fort Polk, La., which saw action in World War II.

* In addition, this event will honor the service of Dr. H. Rouse Caffey, former Chancellor of LSU Alexandria and Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, as well as a veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division.

* The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, La., which is dedicated to preserving and studying the history of the war, is also collaborating with LSU Alexandria in celebrating this historic event with other organizations including the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Louisiana National Guard, the Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum at Fort Campbell, Ky., the Louisiana Military Maneuvers Museum, the Kent Plantation House, the Arts Council of Louisiana, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, the Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the Alexandria Museum of Art.

* Distinguished speakers of the event include Thomas Czekanski, Director of Collections at the National World War II museum in New Orleans, La., and Dr. Jerry Sanson, Professor of History and Political Science at LSU Alexandria.

* Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the historic celebration of Central Louisiana's rich military heritage and specifically the 66th anniversary of the creation of the Airborne at Camp Claiborne, La., in 1942.

Source