SHREVEPORT, La. — A three-day series of events will begin Thursday in Shreveport-Bossier to celebrate the region’s designation as a 2026 Great American Defense Community, bringing together military, business and civic leaders and culminating with a public flag presentation Saturday.
The Greater Shreveport Chamber and Bossier Chamber of Commerce are joining Barksdale Forward, the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council and other community partners for events Sept. 17-19 recognizing the designation, which was announced earlier this year.
The events begin Thursday with a Military Leadership Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Margaritaville Resort-Casino’s Paradise Theater. Hosted by the Bossier Chamber in partnership with the Greater Shreveport Chamber, the luncheon will focus on programs and partnerships supporting Airmen, military families and veterans.
Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Charlton J. Meginley will discuss veterans and military families across the state. Barksdale Air Force Base leadership will address family readiness and quality-of-life priorities, while local leaders will discuss existing military-community partnerships.
The luncheon is open to members of both chambers.
On Friday, an Association of Defense Communities film crew will document the Shreveport-Bossier community through interviews and other features highlighting its military support network. The resulting video is scheduled to be shown at a recognition ceremony during the American Defense Community Forum in October.
The celebration will conclude Saturday with the presentation of the Great American Defense Community flag during the 22nd annual Highland Jazz & Blues Festival at Columbia Park.
Representatives of the Association of Defense Communities and Barksdale’s 2nd Bomb Wing are expected to participate in the 2 p.m. ceremony. The festival features three stages of local and national jazz and blues, along with food and local art.
“The Highland Jazz and Blues Festival is honored to host this milestone moment for Shreveport-Bossier,” Highland Area Partnership Executive Director Emerie Eck Holtzclaw said. “Our festival has always been about bringing the community together to celebrate our music, culture and people, so there is no better backdrop to showcase just some of the many reasons why Shreveport-Bossier deserves this recognition.”
Shreveport-Bossier was named one of three 2026 Great American Defense Communities nationwide. The designation recognizes the region’s longstanding relationship with Barksdale Air Force Base and its support for Airmen, military families and veterans.
“Being named one of only three Great American Defense Communities in the nation is an honor and a reflection of the longstanding partnership between Barksdale Air Force Base and Shreveport-Bossier,” Bossier Chamber President Lisa Johnson said. “We are proud to welcome the Association of Defense Communities and showcase the strong community partnerships that have made Shreveport-Bossier a national model for military support.”
Greater Shreveport Chamber President Tim Magner said the designation reflects cooperation among the region’s business, civic and military communities.
“This recognition is a tremendous reflection of what can happen when our business, civic and military communities work together with a shared purpose,” Magner said. “Shreveport-Bossier has a long history of supporting Barksdale Air Force Base, our Airmen, military families and veterans. Being named a Great American Defense Community gives us an opportunity to celebrate those partnerships while showcasing the strength and commitment of our region to a national audience.”