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Honoring veterans, local events

Veterans Recognition at the Wisteria Inn on Monday, November 11, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Come for free coffee and snacks. Owners Chief Master Sergeant Stacy Gilman and Senior Master Sergeant Dawn M. Gilman wish to thank all area veterans for their service and sacrifice to our great nation.


By Tricia Nelson Veterans Day is a day to honor all who have served in the military, both living and deceased. Originally, it was known as Armistice Day, due to an armistice signed on November 11, 1918 at 11:00 a.m. which brought an end to World War I. The first national Armistice Day was celebrated under President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. It became a federal holiday in 1938. After World War II and the Korean War, veterans’ organizations began to lobby and in 1954 Congress amended the 1938 act, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans.” President Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. Since then, November 11 has been a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Copiah County has strived through the years to honor its veterans. For example, a remembrance ceremony is held each year on Veterans Day in front of the Copiah County Courthouse in Hazlehurst where two monuments stand to honor those who have been killed in active duty. Through the years, various churches and organizations have held events to honor veterans. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Copiah Chapter, actively supports veterans. A few years ago the chapter held a pinning ceremony to honor living Vietnam veterans and added a Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Flag to the Veterans Memorial in Railroad Park. The chapter has a Veterans Memorial Cross program for those who would like to honor a veteran, living or deceased, with a cross which bears the name of the veteran and a flag. Crosses are displayed in the green space in front of Dairy Freeze during patriotic holidays.


There is also a plaque in what is now the Crystal Springs High School. With the effects of World War II fresh on its mind, the Crystal Springs Consolidated School Class of 1946 installed a plaque to honor the men killed in the War. It lists the names of those who “made the supreme sacrifice in World War II”. The following names appear: X. Anderson, Henry Bolis, Wilbur Cupstid, Stanley Depriest, James Donohoe, Calie Eady, Milton Ervin, Henry Evans, Ray Greer, Thomas Hart, James Henry, Bernard Howard, Dawson Hutchison, Ervin Johnson, Jesse Leach, Wallace McLendon, E. M. Mohon, William Newman, Edwin Osborn, Ralph Papizan, Henry Perry, Harold Richard, Earnest Roland, G. A. Singletary , Robert Sojourner, Wilbur Sturgis, Monford Sykes, and J. F. Yarbrough.


Veterans Day is only one day of the year. Many veterans sacrificed year after year and some paid the ultimate price. We should honor them every day, not just Veterans Day. We are blessed to live in a free country because of the men and women who have and continue to place their lives on the line every day. There are several events taking place Monday to honor our local veterans. Hopefully you will take the time to honor them in your own way as well.


Veterans Day celebration Nov. 11 Students and staff of Crystal Springs Elementary School, 213 Newton St., invite all veterans to a Veterans Day celebration Monday, Nov. 11. Breakfast for Veterans will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30. A Veterans Day Parade will be held from 10 a.m. until 10:30. Classroom visits begin at 11. Participants honoring all who served also include the Mississippi National Guard, City of Crystal Springs Police Department, Crystal Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Crystal Springs Mayor Sally Garland, the Crystal Springs High School Band and Crystal Springs High School Cheerleaders.


Copiah County veterans invited to breakfast Friday All Copiah County veterans are invited to attend a breakfast and assembly held in their honor at Wesson Attendance Center in Wesson Friday, Nov. 8. The breakfast will start at 7:50 a.m. in the Wesson Attendance Center high school library. The assembly program will be in the old gym at 9:15 a.m. Please call Wesson Attendance Center 601-643-2221 for more information.

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