November marks National Veteran and Military Families month, highlighted by Veteran’s Day on Friday, Nov. 11. Here are some of the events celebrating service members and their families.
Gulf Coast Veterans Parade
Kick off the weekend by supporting local veterans at the 2022 Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade in Gulfport on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. The celebration of our nation’s veterans will take place downtown Gulfport beginning on 19th Street. Everyone at the parade will be given a flag to wave during the parade.
The parade will include dozens of veterans groups, active-duty military, marching bands, JROTC units, and patriotic floats. Gulf Coast Veterans Parade President Jim Hollingsworth said, “I think there should be a real appreciation for veterans. I don’t know that people really recognize what they contribute throughout their careers, even if they’ve only served a short term. There are a lot of sacrifices that go on there. I think people should really come out and recognize these are the people that are protecting our freedoms year in and year out. They should be remembered. This is a great opportunity for them to do so.”
Veterans Day Ceremony in Jackson
The 2022 Veterans Day ceremony is set for 10:30 am Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History partnered with Daughters of the American Revolution, Mississippi Veterans Affairs, and Mississippi War Veterans Memorial Commission to honor statesmen who serve and previously served in the military. The program will include a performance by the 41st Army Band and a recognition of fallen heroes by Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard.
Hattiesburg Veterans Day Vigil, Parade, and Ceremony
The city of Hattiesburg’s Veterans Committee will host a Veterans Day vigil, parade, and ceremony on Nov. 10 and 11 at Veterans Memorial Park. The University of Southern Mississippi Air Force ROTC will begin the two-day celebration with a 24-hour vigil on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 11 am followed by a reading of the 173 names of the fallen veterans on the memorial’s pillars at 7 pm.
The Veterans Day parade will begin at Hardy Street Baptist Church at 10 am Thursday, Nov. 11, and will end at Veterans Memorial Park. The Veterans Day ceremonies will start after the parade at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Several ceremonies will be held, including a featured keynote by Maj. Gen. Larry Harrington and the announcement of Veteran of the Year.
The Magnolia State has an extremely large veteran and active military population, and there’s no better way to show appreciation than by attending one of the events or celebrations in your area.
