Neighbors Enjoy Sounds By Sea Tribute

PASCAGOULA -- Ginger L. and her husband live close enough to Pascagoula's beach that they could sit on their porch and listen to the patriotic music wafting across the air from the annual Sounds by the Sea.

Songs of Freedom: People Flock to Hear Sounds by the Sea
The Mississippi Press/May 30, 2011

Still, the couple walked to the Memorial Day tribute held Sunday at Beach Park, where about 3,000 residents from across Jackson County and other cities in South Mississippi enjoyed the patriotic sounds honoring fallen members of the military.

That number was down from the estimated 5,000 yearly attendants, but enthusism was no less among the crowd that waved miniature flags and clapped in time to familiar songs in honor of each military branch.

Music, Fireworks Over Pascagoula Beach
The Sun Herald/May 30, 2011

"We pretty much come every year," she said. "Some years I've missed. We live close enough that we can walk. We like to bring the grandbaby."

Ginger said that she's been busy those years that they didn't attend the holiday concert, though they've never stayed at home to listen to the beachside event. However, many of her neighbors make the symphony concert a home event.

"When we were walking here some of our neigbhbors were sitting in lawn chairs," said Ginger. "While I was walking here it was loud and clear."

Thousands Gather in Pascagoula for Sounds by the Sea
WLOX-TV 13/May 29, 2011

The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra sponsors Sounds by the Sea each year, 2011 marking the ninth year. Each year the Freedom Chorus of Pascagoula opens the concert held in Jackson County. David Knowles led the group.

This year, the pre-concert on Saturday was provided by the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Chorale and Coastal Vibrations from the Jeff Davis Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The concert was held at Centennial Plaza, former Veterans Administrations property.

During the concert, director John Strickler said that some people think of Memorial Day as just part of a three-day weekend. He said the Navy Hymn and Siempre Fidelis would inspire help residents to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for America.

"I think it's good for the families that did lose someone," said Ginger of Sounds by the Sea. "For the families it shows that they didn't just die in vain. Their memories live on forever."