LAUREL — Veterans from all branches of the military were recognized during the annual Veterans Day Program conducted Friday at the Laurel Veterans Memorial Museum on Hillcrest Drive.
State Auditor Stacey Pickering, who is the chaplain with the Mississippi Air National Guard 253rd Air Support Squadron, was the guest speaker at the event.
Pickering, who holds the rank of a first lieutenant, quoted former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.
Pickering talked about the importance of serving the community and country.
The Laurel native said he’s proud of the country and those who are serving in war time.
“I’ve never been more prouder,” he told the crowd. “As President Abraham Lincoln said ‘America is the last best hope of this world.’”
Pickering said veterans serve for many reasons. However, he highlighted three of those reasons: conviction, a sense of service, and the anticipation of the future.
“Veterans are interested in what they can do to serve our nation,” he said. “Every veteran serves for the future — not just for their children but their children and their children’s children. … We want to give them a better nation.
“It’s good to see these young people who have stepped up and are standing in the gap,” Pickering added. “I’m thankful for those who serve.”
Twenty-year-old Airman Frazier Houze, son of Belinda and D.C. Houze of Laurel, attended the event with his family — his grandmother, Elner Andrews; mother, Belinda Houze; and uncle, retired veteran Thomas Andrews.
Houze, who is stationed in California on the USS Carl Vincent, is a 2010 graduate of Laurel High School and was home on leave during this special event.
Retired veteran Thomas Andrews, who lives in Florida, said he was home visiting for the holiday.
“It’s important for people to realize what this day means,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to let Americans know that we appreciate their service.”
Vic Lee, past state commander of the Disabled American Veterans, agreed.
“This is a day of celebrating, unlike Memorial Day, which is set aside to remember those who have passed,” he said. “People sometime confuse the days. However, Veterans Day is when we say thank you to veterans for their past and current service.”
Bro. Thomas J. Fisher, a 77-year-old veteran, said he attends all the events at the museum.
“This is a very patriotic day and I’m a part of it,” said Fisher, who was a parachuter in the military. “I’m proud to be a veteran and I’m glad to have served God and my country.”
Henry Thompson, a local veteran who had 20 years of federal active duty, also attended the event.
“It’s a great day for the American public to recognize veterans for what they have done,” said Thompson, who retired in 1968. “It’s wonderful for the school children to get involved and become aware of the service that veterans have given and are giving to this country.”
Artie Adams and the South Jones High School Jazz Band provided music for the event. Kent Miller, minister of music at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Laurel, led the singing of the national anthem.
Boy Scout Troop 38 of Laurel presented the colors for the event.
Glenda Wheelis with the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary distributed poppies during the Veterans Day Program. Wheelis said the poppies are memorial flowers made by veterans and worn in memory of veterans. She said donations collected for the poppies are used to provide entertainment and gatherings for the veterans in the VA Nursing Home in Collins.
Also, residents had the opportunities to pay tribute to area veterans at a variety of events conducted on the special holiday.
• The West Jones High School Choral Department hosted a Veterans Day Program in the WJH Performing Arts Center Friday.
• Stringer Attendance Center honored local veterans with an appreciation ceremony and luncheon Friday. The keynote speaker was Dr. Gregory Scott Dearman.
• Glade Elementary School selected the theme “Proud to be an American,” for its annual Veteran’s Day Program.
• Jones County Junior College Nontraditional Students Center conducted a Veteran’s Recognition Service.
