City of Lake Charles, Louisiana

City and Mayor's Committee for the First Lieutenant Douglas B. Fournet Memorial Announce Statue Project

At a press conference held today at American Legion Post 1, the City of Lake Charles and the recently formed Mayor's Committee for the First Lieutenant Douglas B. Fournet Memorial announced the formal kickoff of a project to erect a statue of First Lieutenant Douglas B. Fournet at Veterans Memorial Park.  Fournet, a native of Lake Charles, was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously in April of 1970, for his selfless act of sacrifice in May of 1968 during the Vietnam War.

The Medal of Honor is presented by the President of the United States in the name of Congress and is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any American of the U. S. Armed Forces.

Said Mayor Randy Roach:

"A sculpture at Veterans Memorial Park of First Lieutenant Douglas B. Fournet, whose hometown was Lake Charles, will serve as a visible reminder of his valor and sacrifice and all the honorable service and sacrifices made by our veterans.  This project is a very fitting thing to do, and when completed, it will be something very special that we can all be proud of."

Said John DeRosier, chair, Mayor's Committee for the First Lieutenant Douglas B. Fournet Memorial:

 "It is only fitting that we honor those heroes in our military who have given their lives to protect the lives of their fellow warriors and to help guarantee the liberty those of us back home enjoy every day."

The City of Lake Charles recently signed a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.  All contributions to help pay for the cost of the project can be mailed to: Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, P.O. Box 3125, Lake Charles, LA  70602; or by hand delivery to the Foundation at 120 W. Pujo St., Suite 120, Lake Charles.  Donations can also be received online through the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, a non-profit organization, at www.foundationswla.org.   Checks should be made to: Community Foundation, with "First Lieutenant Douglas B. Fournet Memorial" in the subject line.  Individuals with questions should contact Lisa Verrette at 491-6688

The Committee's project fundraising goal is to raise $100,000.

Also, today, the Committee announced plans for a fundraiser-banquet to be held at the Lake Charles Civic Center on June 23.   To purchase tickets, contact the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.

At its December 2011 meeting, the Veterans Memorial Park Commission supported the concept of building an entrance structure at Veterans Memorial Park that would complement the statue.  A subcommittee of the Mayor's Committee for the First Lieutenant Douglas B. Fournet Memorial is working on a design that would incorporate the statue and entrance structure together.

More information about the project can be found at the City of Lake Charles website www.cityoflakecharles.com.  At the homepage go to Hot Topics and click on the link "Doug Fournet Memorial."

For more information, contact Jim Jackson at 309-9604; or Scott Raymond, City of Lake Charles, 491-9176.

        - 30 -

The City of Lake Charles fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.   For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see the City of Lake Charles website- www.cityoflakecharles.com  or call the Mayor's Action Line at (337) 491-1346, or contact the appropriate Department Head, or call the Title VI coordinator at (337) 491-1440.