To The Leader

 

LAKE CHARLES—The City of Lake Charles and McNeese State University will host a panel discussion entitled World War II’s Impact on Southwest Louisiana on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

This free and open to the public event will be held in the Tritico Theatre located on the McNeese State University campus (4205 Ryan St.). Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the panel will take place from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Moderated by KPLC’s John Bridges, panelists will share their first-hand accounts of what it was like to live through this time period and local historians will share insight on the war’s impact on life on the home front. Panelist includes Lake Charles native and WWII Navy veteran Noah Lewis, Lake Charles native Mary Ann Monk, American Press Our Past columnist Mike Jones, and recent Citgo retiree Bob Davidson.

This event is being hosted in conjunction with The Pelican State Goes to War: Louisiana in WWII, on display at Historic City Hall (1001 Ryan Street) through October 19, 2019.

Produced by The National WWII Museum, the exhibit features artifacts, photographs and oral histories that highlight Louisiana’s extraordinary contributions toward America achieving victory in WWII. The exhibit is sponsored in part by Citgo; Hunter, Hunter, and Sonnier in memory of Judge Edwin F. Hunter; and American Press.

A Wall of Honor featuring the photographs of local veterans who served in the war has also been assembled and is on display at Historic City Hall. The Wall of Honor is sponsored by Stine Lumber in honor of J.W. Stine.

For more information on the panel discussion, call 491-9176. For more information on the exhibit or Historic City Hall, call 491-9147.