One of Ft. Polk’s favorite things about the military community is everyone’s willingness to help. Whether it’s during a deployment, after having a child or picking up dresses for Operation Deploy Your Dress, if you put out the call for help, it gets answered.

Operation Deploy Your Dress is a nonprofit which provides FREE formal wear to military ID cardholders, donated by the American public in hopes of increasing attendance at formal military events and boosting camaraderie in the military community.

A huge thank you goes out to the following amazing ladies: Mikala Colwell, Alice Armour, Linda Lee, Pearl Walker, Sylvia Lacour, Geraldine Clark, Kirby Smith Peddy, Alyssa Wright, Merle Antoon, Danielle Cobb, Jan McCain, Allison Niette, Darlene Knecht, Jana Mayeaux and Jan Harrington. They donated 111 gowns, a tuxedo, a suit, shoes and jewelry. These were picked up from the beautiful historic city of Natchitoches by Ft Polk military spouses Idalis Patterson, Kathleen Kent, and Courtney Hissong on March 24.

Ft Polk ODYD will host its soft opening on April 2 and 3!

Angie Colwell, former military spouse and Natchitoches resident, will continue to collect donations for Ft. Polk ODYD throughout the year. Contact her at 507-430-8834 to schedule a drop off.

Pictured: Courtney Hissong, Idalis Patterson, Kathleen Kent, and Angie Colwell.

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