WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The second of two services for Master Sgt. Scott E. Pruitt was held today at Arlington National Cemetery.

Pruitt Honored During Afghan Service

The Mississippi Press/Monday, May 08, 2012

Pruitt, a 1992 graduate of Gautier High School, was killed April 28 during combat operations in Nimruz Province in Afghanistan. Pruitt, 38, served with the First Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Today's early afternoon memorial service at Arlington followed the Monday evening service held in Afghanistan. Military officials released a video of the service.

New Faces Join Veterans at Breakfast

Donald Evans (left), who served in the Persia Gulf, and Jimmy Cox, an Army infantryman, attended the Veterans' Breakfast on Monday. Cox was a first-timer, but Evans has attended about 12 years. Assistant Superintendent (top) Bernard Rogers, school board officials Dan Marks and Mike Concannon were at the military celebration for local veterans.

Wally Molby, who turns 80 on Wednesday, served in the Air Force during the Korean War. "This thing here is the most wonderful thing that's happened to me since I've been a veteran."

GAUTIER -- Jimmy Cox was among the first-time veterans who attended the Veterans' Breakfast held Monday at Gautier High School.

Teachers, students, and district officials have sponsored the morning meal and honor program for 12 years.  

"I've been intending to come and I've always been working," said Cox. "I set aside time to come this year."
Cox served in the infantry from 1969 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. "This is wonderful," he said of the breakfast.

Cox's friend Donald Evans has attended the Veterans' Breakfast almost since its inception.

"I do it every year," he said. "I missed the first year."

He comes because of the honor and to meet friends. "A lot of these guys I've been knowing since my childhood. I didn't know they were Vietnam vets."

Evans served in the Navy, and jokingly says that his friends put on the wrong uniform. "These guys just signed the wrong papers."

(Look for more information, quotes and photographs in future updates.)

Breakfast for Veterans at Gautier High

GAUTIER -- It was all about Anthony McDaniel.

The Veterans Breakfast held Monday, Nov. 08, at Gautier High School put the school's 2006 graduate at the center of attention. This year marked the 11th time for the event that honors local veterans of all wars for their service to the U.S.

McDaniel, a Marine, lost both legs and left hand during a mine explosion in August this year while serving in Afghanistan.