Memorial Day program Monday set to honor America’s war dead

School is out and Memorial Day marks the start of summer, but for many the holiday is more than getting a day off of work, it means solemnly remembering America’s war dead.

This year’s Memorial Day ceremony on Monday marks the first at the newly-constructed Fallen Veteran Monument plaza in Dewitt-DeWeese Park.

Brig. Gen. Jonathan S. Hubbard, the commander of the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Monticello, will be the speaker.

The program, set to begin at 11 a.m., is sponsored by local veterans organizations, including American Legion Post 138, American Legion Post 238, the American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Following Hubbard’s speech, the names on the monuments honoring Neshoba County’s war dead from each of America’s wars will be read.

Observed annually on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the men and women who died fighting.

“We will read off the names of all of the people whose names are on the monuments,” said organizer Ray Crocker. 

Readers will be Madlyn Vuncannon, Obbie Riley, James Waltman and Wendell Jackson.

“They will be standing in front of the monument for each war,” Crocker said.

The program will start with the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. There will be a devotional and then the Gold Star mothers and guests will be recognized. 

Cecil Hooker will sing “God Bless America” and the 367th Maintenance Co. will lower the flag to half staff and perform the gun salute.

Hubbard received his bachelor’s degree from Belhaven College and his MBA from William Carey.

He began his military career with the Mississippi National Guard in July 1991 as a supply officer in the Mississippi Joint Forces Headquarters in Jackson and has moved up through the ranks. That included serving as detachment commander with the 298th Combat Support Battalion in Philadelphia.