FORT POLK, La. -- Leesville is hosting the largest military parade Saturday in this part of the country since 1943, when thousands of soldiers who had participated in the Louisiana maneuvers were honored before they deployed overseas in World War II. It’s all a part of the “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” celebration hosted by the city.

Everything about the celebration is large, from the 3,600 pounds of smoked brisket being prepared to the 4,000 Fort Polk soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division; 115th Combat Support Hospital; 383rd Movement Control Company; 705th Explosive Ordnance Company; and 46th Engineer Battalion who’ll march in a parade along with 71 other floats.

Activities begin at noon with a “welcome honor party” hosted by the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce, at the field west of Leesville High School’s Wampus Cat Stadium. The city expects to feed more than 6,000 people at the honor party.

A change of command ceremony for the -10 takes place at 3:30 p.m. at the high schools stadium. That ceremony, open by invitation only because of limited space, will be followed by the parade.

Special guests will include 65 surviving family members of Fort Polk soldiers killed in action, whose transportation and lodging is being financed by Leesville businesses and organizations.