By Rickey Robertson

What a great day in Sabine Parish, Thursday, October 24!! The Military Vehicle Preservation Association Convoy arrived, escorted by the Many Police Department and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department units. These historic military vehicles left Minnesota on October 1st and arrived at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans on October 31st. Over 2500 miles were traveled over the Old Jefferson Highway from East Grand Forks, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana.

This was such a successful patriotic event for all the folks who came and viewed the convoy of historic military vehicles. In Many, Mayor Robert Hable presented the MVPA a proclamation stating October 24th was MVPA Day in Many! I was blessed to lead this convoy in my M-35A2 Vietnam War era deuce-and-half, and we convoyed from Many, Louisiana to Mt. Carmel, Louisiana. The convoy traveled the historic Louisiana Maneuvers Highway to Mt. Carmel, and the convoy parked on the exact location where the September 17, 1941, Battle of Mt. Carmel maneuver battle was fought.

This was the exact location where General George Patton, General Omar Bradley, General Lear, General Kruegar, and Colonel Dwight Eisenhower, and other famous officers and enlisted men once walked. In the October 6,1941, issue of LIFE Magazine, there was a big story on this battle that see-sawed around Addison’s Store. This historic store has been completely restored just as it was in 1941. My wife and I, who have the Peason Historical Foundation Inc., were able to present Jan and Gerry Barnhill, owners of Addison’s Store, a historical sign to be placed at this historic store due to its significance. I also was able to give both the public and MVPA members a history lesson while at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church on the story of the Battle of Mt. Carmel and the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers. General Patton’s 2nd Armored Division battled the 45th Infantry Division on September 17, 1941, on that very ground.

Many thanks to Many Police Department, Sabine Sheriff’s Office, Many Mayor Robert Hable and staff, North Sabine Fire Department for flying the HUGE AMERICAN FLAG, Florien Police Department, Brother Matt Warren and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Sabine Camp Gideons International, and the Mt. Carmel Masonic Lodge for providing cold drinks, water, and snacks. One thing fellow MVPA members said to me as they moved out was, “We have never seen so much hospitality since we arrived here!” That speaks well of Sabine Parish!

I am proud to live in Sabine Parish! Oh, and by the way, I signed Sabine Parish up for another convoy in 2030! These military convoys keep history alive! Get ready! Moving out!