09/30/2026
Historic Chennault Air Force Base — Vol. 1, Issue 2 is here!
The September 2026 edition of the Historic Chennault Air Force Base Quarterly Newsletter is out now, and we have a lot to report. What started as a conversation between a grandfather and his 10-year-old grandson has grown into one of the most exciting historical preservation efforts in Southwest Louisiana — and the momentum keeps building.
Here's a look at what's active and underway:
🏛️ Chennault Veterans Museum — Work is progressing on establishing a premier veterans museum on the former air base grounds, honoring Lt. General Claire Lee Chennault and the service members who shaped this community's history. The vision: a must-visit cultural destination for SWLA and beyond.
🌿 Lt. General Claire Lee Chennault Plaza — Plans are in development for a commemorative public plaza featuring architectural hardscape, natural landscaping, and four central high-fidelity historical monuments. A permanent space to reflect, learn, and honor.
🪧 Historic Street Signage Initiative — New commemorative street signs carrying the Historic Chennault Air Force Base brand and logo are in the works, bringing a unified identity to the former base corridors.
🚧 Historic Entrance Sign Project — Gateway signage is being planned for two key access points: the West Entrance at I-210 and Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Avenue, and the North Entrance on Main Street. First impressions that tell the story before you even step out of the car.
📱 Social Media Campaign — You're already here! Our Facebook and Instagram presence launched this summer and is bringing the history of this remarkable place to a new, multi-generational audience week by week.
The Historic Chennault Air Force Base Driving Tour Brochure is available FREE at 18 locations across Southwest Louisiana — pick one up and explore the former base on your own time. Find a location near you:
📍 Lake Charles Visitor Center
📍 Chennault Aviation & Military Museum (Monroe, LA)
📍 Million Air Lake Charles
📍 Lake Charles Regional Airport
📍 McNeese Frazar Memorial Library
📍 Calcasieu Parish Central Library
📍 Calcasieu Parish Carnegie Memorial Library
📍 Historic City Hall Arts & Humanities Center
📍 Henning Cultural Center (Sulphur, LA)
📍 Henning SEED Center
📍 Imperial Calcasieu Museum
📍 Vinton Welcome Center (Vinton, LA)
📍 SOWELA Technical Community College Library
📍 Jeff Davis Tourist Commission (Jennings, LA)
📍 Beauregard Tourist Commission (DeRidder, LA)
📍 Beauregard Museum (DeRidder, LA)
📍 The Historic War Memorial Civic Center (DeRidder, LA)
📍 Chennault Coffee Shop
Want to stay up to date on all of it? If you'd like to receive the Historic Chennault Air Force Base Quarterly Newsletter, please message Ron Childress at [email protected] and include your first and last name and email address.
Ready to invest in this history? The Historic Chennault AFB Fund accepts donations of any amount at https://www.foundationswla.org/hcafb — tax-deductible through the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. You can also give by mail, through a Donor-Advised Fund, or via Qualified Charitable Distribution. Every dollar goes directly toward keeping this legacy alive. 🎖️
