Friends of DeRidder Army Air Base (DAAB) host Annual Christmas Dinner at Beauregard Regional Airport (DRI) for Vets and Active Duty Soldiers away from home for the holidays.

On 25 December 2011, in celebration of the return of our troops, a Christmas Day Dinner, catered by Mrs. Emily’s, was served to the men of the 2^nd Battalion, 30^th Infantry, of the 4^th Brigade, 10^th Mountain by the Friends of the DAAB.

68 years ago, on 25 December 1943, Mess Sgt. Mack Fawler, under the command of Major Lewis W. Stocking, prepared a similar Christmas Dinner for the 642^nd Bombardment Squadron, 409^th Bombardment Group stationed at the then DeRidder Army Air Base.  Two months later, February 1944, these 200+ young men left DeRidder and were deployed to the WWII European Theater. 

The Friends of DAAB wish to express their gratitude to all who have served throughout time so that we may enjoy our rich freedoms.