Goosport Community Center Renamed In Honor Of CPL Donald Ray Stevens

The City of Lake Charles invites the public to attend the dedication ceremony and renaming of Goosport Community Center in honor of CPL Donald Ray Stevens.

The City of Lake Charles remembers one of it's fallen sons, CPL Donald Ray Stevens by renaming the Goosport Community Center in his honor.  Donald Ray "Donny" Stevens, was the youngest child of three to Aristile and Ora Stevens.  In his short life, he lived a lot and was well liked through out the community.  Donny was a gifted artist and talented football player in high school, but coming from a church-going family he always stayed grounded.

Donny was noted as being optimistic and proud of his country and after high school he decided to joined the Marines in 1963.  Not long after that, he was in the jungles of Vietnam.  However he never lost sight of his family and always managed to write letters home.  Sadly, in 1965 just three months after serving in Vietnam Donny was killed in the line of duty.  On October 14th, at age 19-years of age CPL Donald Ray "Donny" Stevens became the first Calcasieu Parish soldier to loose his life in the Vietnam War.

Though gone, he will never be forgotten and this Saturday, September 13th Goosport Community Center, located at 1619 Cessford Street in Lake Charles will be renamed in this brave soldiers honor.  The public is invited to attend, as the Dedication Ceremony of CPL Donald "Donny" Stevens will begin at 9 am.  The event will be hosted by the American Legion Post 551 Junior Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion Post 551 Junior Auxiliary.