Cenla leaders encouraged by Ft. Polk response

LEESVILLE-Leaders from Vernon and Rapides parishes were encouraged Tuesday morning at the receipt of a letter from the state’s Congressional Delegation. The Delegation, addressing Secretary of the Army John McHugh, detailed the importance of Fort Polk as a cost-effective training facility for the nation’s military. 

Leesville Mayor Robert Rose said, “Our City is thankful for the unanimous and prompt response of our Congressional Delegation. It is encouraging to see that our federal leaders from all parts of Louisiana recognize the immense impact Fort Polk has on our nation’s defense as well as our state’s economy.”

The letter was in direct response to the Department of the Army’s pending force structure realignment that would reduce the Army’s total end-strength from 562,000 at the end of fiscal year 2012 to 490,000 by fiscal year 2020.

Area residents are encouraged to submit their own comments concerning the force structure realignment toUSARMY.JBSA.AEC.MBX@mail.mil. A sample letter can be found at leesville la.gov; www.englandairpark.org; andplanvernonparish.org. 

A copy of the letter to McHugh from the Louisiana Congressional Delegation can also be found at leesvillela.gov andwww.englandairpark.org.