Community honors the fallen during Memorial Day program
Nearly every seat at the Ellis Theater was filled on Monday as the community gathered for the annual Memorial Day Program to honor those who gave their lives in service to the country.
Initially scheduled for DeWitt-DeWeese Park, the event was moved indoors due to inclement weather.
The ceremony began with the sounding of the tornado sirens, followed by a welcome from Master of Ceremonies Command Sergeant Major Kyle James.
“Today is not about celebration, it’s about commemoration,” James said. “It’s a time to reflect on the cost of our freedom and pay tribute to the heroes who never made it home. Their sacrifice is the reason we can stand here today in peace and liberty.”
The Neshoba Central Navy ROTC presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Makayla Triplett’s powerful rendition of the national anthem.
Retired Staff Sergeant Tony Stewart of American Legion Post 238 delivered the devotional before James recognized special guests, including Neshoba County Gold Star Mothers Deborah Ladd, mother of Joshua Ladd, and Ellon Stovall, mother of Matt Stovall.
Guest speaker Major General Bobby M. Ginn, Jr., then took the stage. Ginn, who has more than 34 years of military experience, serves as the commanding general of both the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard.
He is responsible for leading a force of more than 12,500 citizen-soldiers and airmen, trained, equipped, and prepared to respond to any contingency, natural or man-made.
“Today, I am inspired by the words of General George Patton, and he said, ‘Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude,’” Ginn said. “It is with a heart of gratitude and remembrance that we honor those who laid down their lives so that we might live in the land of the free and certainly the home of the brave.”
He continued, “As members of the National Guard, our men and women have served proudly and distinctively in every major conflict that our nation has faced. They ask for little, yet they deserve so much. Through their selfless service, they portray the values and ideas on which this great country was founded.”
“The history of our nation and those who served can be summed up in a short and simple yet fitting phrase: ‘They are ordinary people who by virtue of their service and sacrifice are extraordinary,’” Ginn said before concluding.
Following Ginn’s address, Aubree Hudson delivered another stirring performance with “God Bless America.”
Next, Kiesha Brown of American Legion Post 238; Cassandra Gibbs, President of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary; Stanley Backstrom of Post 238; and Tim Gibbs of Post 138 read the names of Neshoba County’s fallen veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq War.
The program concluded with a 21-gun salute outside the theater by the 367th Maintenance Company.