Desean Lockett knows how far a smile and an encouraging word can take you.

“Just like when we got back from our deployment, it was good to have that warm reception that we got and seeing the faces of everyone,” said Lockett, who completed a yearlong tour in Afghanistan. “We want to do the same things for our kids.”

Lockett was among the dozens of men lined up at Combre-Fondel Elementary School early Tuesday morning to greet students heading back to class.

“We wanted to show them our strong support and encourage the youth coming back and give them a little hope for the new school year,” he said. 

The movement was part of the school’s annual Million Father March, started three years ago when Mildred Smith took over as principal.

“This is the perfect opportunity to get men to come out and just become part of their children’s educational lives because many times we see the women — they’re always out and they’re always in the schools — but we need the men,” Smith said. “We need that male presence.”

Smith said the march gives men a chance to encourage, inspire and motivate students in preparation for a great school year — and she’s seeing a difference.

“There’s been good collaboration within the community,” she said. “We’ve had some community people reach out and become partners in education. As far as the children are concerned, this day is a good day for them because you can see the smiles on those faces. It’s like, ‘Oh, look at all these people here to greet me.’ ”

Smith said 50 men volunteered to participate last year. This year 75 did. Among them were members of the Lake Charles Police Department, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Northrop Grumman, Sasol, Calcasieu Police Jury and School Board, American Legion and several fraternities.

Oben Broussard Jr., second vice commander of American Legion Post 551, was a first-time volunteer.

“We need to show our youngsters that we appreciate what they are coming to learn,” Broussard said. “One day they will take our place.” 

Nora Popillion of Delta Down’s Racetrack and Casino said he volunteers because he’s been in the same shoes as these students.

“I know there’s a lot of anxiety about the first day of school, and they do it over and over and over again,” Popillion said. “I came here to just give them some encouragement and let them know, ‘Hey, you got this. You’ve done this before; you’re going to be able to do it again.’ ”

Million Father March at Combre-Fondel Elementary on Tuesday. (Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman