While members of the armed forces defend the United States every day, their service will be prominently recognized Saturday during Veterans Day activities across the Golden Triangle.
In Columbus, veterans will be recognized during the grand reopening of the Columbus War Museum at the Columbus Municipal Complex from 1-4 p.m. A ceremony dedicating the museum will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Judith Jarrett, first vice regent with the Bernard Romans chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said the chapter has been working to restore the museum for the past 4 1/2 years.
“We’re just very happy that we can preserve these true memories of people in Columbus who have given their all for their country,” Jarrett said.
Jarrett said the chapter’s project has included monthly trips by volunteers to reorganize the museum. The chapter also received help from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the American Legion in the process.
The museum contains displays preserving pieces of history from World War I to the most recent war in Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror. The public is welcome to come to the museum’s rededication, Jarrett said, and the museum will remain open during normal city hours following Saturday’s event.
In Starkville, Kayla Gilmore with KMG Creations has been planning the Fourth Annual Veterans Day Parade for the city.
“It’s important that we support our veterans and support their families because they go through a lot,” Gilmore said. “When their spouse is gone or the children’s mother or father is gone … it’s tough and it’s a lot. And some people don’t make it back home physically, and some people make it back home physically but not mentally. So it’s important to show love to them.”
The parade starts at 11 a.m. in front of the Oktibbeha County Chancery Courthouse. The parade’s grand marshal will be Brannon Armstrong, training officer for 2-114th Field Artillery Battalion in Starkville.
The parade will make a loop through downtown.
At noon, there will also be a special musical tribute on the steps of the courthouse, including performances by the Starkville High School Singers, Armstrong Junior High Singers and singer/musician Terrell Brinson.
District 15 State Sen. Bart Williams and veteran Terra Robinson will speak at the tribute. A “wall of honor” featuring photos of more than 50 local veterans will also be on display. There will also be veteran resource tables on site.
Gilmore said all are welcome to attend, and parade attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to stay for the program. The event will happen rain or shine.
In the town of Caledonia, Mayor Betty Darnell said a memorial program is planned for 7 p.m. Friday at Ola J. Pickett Park. The next morning, the town’s veterans parade will be starting at the park at 11 a.m.
The parade will be followed by a luncheon at the Caledonia Community Center for veterans and active duty service members who participated in the parade, Darnell said.
The city of West Point is also hosting a Veterans Day program in the boardroom at City Hall at 11 a.m., volunteer Dwight Dyess said.
The program will include a talk from speaker Command Sgt. Major Ronald Howell, along with recognizing veterans of the year Dr. Renford Massey and William McCotry, Dyess said. It will also include a presentation of the colors by the West Point Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Color Guard.
“I think it’s just a time to remember those who have served our nation to preserve our nation’s freedoms,” Dyess said.
Editor’s Note: This is an incomplete list of events happening in the Golden Triangle celebrating Veterans Day. To submit your event for possible publication in our calendar, please email [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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