Parade and Program Honor Veterans, Active Military

MOSS POINT -- Samuel W. Sylvester Jr., 87, is loving all the attention he's gotten lately from the community honoring WWII veterans for their service and all branches of the military during a number of programs and commemorations in October and November.

He was among the veterans who made the fourth Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight during fall 2012. He also was honored as the oldest African American Marine present during this year's 35th Annual Salute to the Military held in Biloxi.

"I was the only black man they recognized there," said Sylvester, who will turn 88 in January.

Following the Jackson County Veterans Day Parade and Program today in Downtown Moss Point, the Marine recounted the horrors of war while stationed in Japan during WWII. He was aboard a LSD ship when the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and then Nagasaki, killing thousands of Japanese and effectively ending the war that was dragging on against the nation of the Rising Sun.

A 'Thank You' For Service:
Nearly 1,000 Turn Out For Long Beach Veterans Parade 
Sun Herald/Sunday, November 10, 2013

Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki, with roughly half of the deaths in each city occurring on the first day, according to Wikipedia

The U.S. lost some 100,000 military personnel during the Pacific War of WWII.

Having served from 1944-46, Sylvester served in other areas of the Pacific before being transferred to Japan, where he was among soldiers who went in to remove the bodies of Japanese civilians killed when the atomic bombs called Little Boy and Fat Man were dropped on the cities.

"I saw a mushroom cloud," he said.

When the Marines went in to clean up the devastation and remove the bodies they used trucks to clear the way. "All the dead people, they pushed them to the side," said Sylvester "Worst smell in the world."

However, today, he and David Blacklege said they enjoyed the Veterans Day program at the Jackson County Veterans Memorial Monument located at the city's Riverfront Park. The hourlong program followed the annual parade on Main Street, which was lined with residents eagerly gathering candy.

"It was great. It was a good program," said Blackledge, who recently retired after 37 years in the Army, including three tours in Iraq and service in Bosnia, Haiti, and other areas around the globe.

(Watch for addition of photos and more information to this story)

Monday's Jackson County Veteran's Day Parade and Program

MOSS POINT -- The 13^th Annual Jackson County Veterans Day Parade and Program will take place Nov. 11 in Downtown Moss Point. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. and leaves from the Southgate Shopping Center. The program starts at 11 a.m. at the Moss Point Veterans Memorial Monument.

The keynote speaker is Jackson County Supervisor Melton Harris, who was born in Grenada County, Miss. He is a graduate of Tougaloo College with a bachelor of science degree in math and physics. He served in the United States Army as a military policeman during the Vietnam Era and received an honorable discharge. He retired from Chevron Pascagoula Refinery in 1999.

Harris is currently serving as president of the Pascagoula Rotary Club. He is past president of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and pastpPresident of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors – Minority Caucus. He is chairman of the Fourth Congressional District Democratic Executive Committee.

His awards include Pascagoula Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Man, Jaycee of the Year, Outstanding Community Service by Phi Beta Sigma, Phi Beta Sigma Community Service Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. MLK Dreamer Award, NAACP Community Service and Achievement Award, A . Phillip Randolph Community Service Award, Young Democrats of America Service Award, Rust College Community Service Award, Sickle Cell Service Award, Pascagoula B&P Women’s Community Service Award, Sigma Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Citizen of the Year Award.

Harris is married and has three adult children. The Harris family is a member of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Moss Point.

The Veterans Steering Committee, planning the event, is encouraging residents of Jackson County to line the parade route, wave American flags and show their support for the veterans of all wars and the active duty personnel serving along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A special emphasis for the POWs and MIAs will be conducted during the program, as well as a Twenty-One Gun Salute by the veterans’ organizations.

There will be a recognition ceremony for fallen soldiers – Sergeant First Class Sean Michael Cooley of Ocean Springs, Sergeant Terrance D. Lee, Sr. of Moss Point, Master Sergeant Coater B. DeBose of Moss Point, Major Michael Green of Gautier, and Master Sergeant Scott E. Pruitt.

Cooley and Lee were killed in Iraq and Green, DeBose and Pruitt in Afghanistan. Members of their families will be invited and recognized at the program.

Members of the Magnolia Cruisers will participate with honor vehicles. The grand marshal is Brigadier General David Blackledge of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Parade marshals are Moss Point Mayor Billy Broomfield, Captain Robert A. Hall, Jr., PCO AMERICA (LHA 6), veterans and officials Cecil Stork, Herman Barnum, Dobbs Dennis, Pascagoula Councilman Freddy Jackson, and Mississippi House of Representative Manly Barton.

For more information about the Jackson County Veterans Parade and Program, call the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 228-762-3391. Late entries will be accepted at the parade lineup.

Final Honor Flight Returns Tonight at Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport

GULFPORT -- Our final honor flight will be returning at 7:40 tonight at the Gulfport airport, said Jennifer Walton, secretary for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight.

Don't miss this final homecoming for our veterans!

The public is asked to arrive between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Parking will be free.

Bring your welcome home signs and flags!!

Ex-guardian Will Be Present When WWII Vets Return from D.C.

DGULFPORT 

 Phillip Saul, an ex-guardian, of Vinegar, Ala., arrived just a little too late this morning to watch the take-off of 92 World War II veterans who made the sixth Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., today. The group left earlier than usual. Still, he plans to make sure he's in just the right spot to watch the veterans receive a welcome home salute when they return tonight about 7:30 to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Between 3,000 and 5,000 coastal residents usually are on hand when the veterans and their guardians return to South Mississippi. An encore flight will be made Nov. 5 before the Honor Flight program concludes.

Busload of Moss Point students to Welcome Home Veterans, Junior Guardian Billy Stokes

Moss Point School Board President Clifton Magee (speaking) and Superintendent Maggie Griffin (second from right) recognize student Billy Stokes (third from right) as family members look on during a school board meeting at Magnolia Middle School. (Vivian Austin/Correspondent). Stokes was named among Junior Guardians for the final trip being made Oct. 1 by Mississipppi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to honor WWII veterans in Washington, D.C. Maury Thompson II will make the encore trip on Nov. 5.

Master Sgt. Coater Debose Laid to Rest in Biloxi National Cemetery

BILOXI -- Tuesday the day after Labor Day was saw the ... of Master Sgt. Coater Debose, who was killed Aug.

Jackson County's Master Sgt. Debose Remembered as "Super Soldier"

The Sun Herald / September 04, 2012

Moss Point, Gautier Residents Remember 9/11 Attacks, Lives Lost, Lessons Learned

By Vivian Austin The Mississippi Press
on September 11, 2013  

Follow me at gulflive.com.  Read this story at gulflive

                           

MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- It was a day of memories and thanks for sacrifice as remembrances of the 9/11 terrorist attacks were held in Moss Point and Gautier. 

 

In Gautier, the citizens gathered this morning around the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Tower and the bell was tolled for the victims who died in the four plan crashes on Sept. 11, 2001.

In Moss Point, a Memorial Service held at Pelican Landing Conference Center included a color guard by Moss Point High ROTC, and a rousing rendition of the national anthem from Tenishia Davis.

 

Midway during speeches at the service, firefighter Kerry Matthews toned a bell to mark the time when the first airplane hit the twin towers, beginning the terrorist attack that included New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and Flight 93 over Pennsylvania.

 

The MPH Jazz Band provided "Amazing Grace" near the end of the program that drew applause from the crowd.

 

"We Will Never Forget Their Sacrifice" was the theme of the 30-minute program attended by more than 80 residents, police and firefighters, clergy, students, and school, county and city personnel and officials. An emergency exercise program took place after the ceremony.

 

Pastor David Newton of Dantzler Memorial United Methodist Church provided the opening invocation that repeated "Oh, Lord, 12 years have passed; yesterday, today and forever, let your love endure ... let your peace endure."

 

He said, "We remember how our lives are forever scarred by the stories" of the people who survived the attacks"

 

Fire Chief Clarence Parks, whose department served as host for the memorial, thanked everyone for attending the memorial to honor the lives of firefighters lost on 9/11, and thanked emergency personnel and service members for their service. He called 9/11 "one of the most dreadful days in American history."

 

Parks said, "Never forget those who sacrificed and will continue to sacrifice their lives for the love of this great country."

 

Mayor Billy Broomfield, as well as others, recounted his day from 9/11, where he was and the thoughts going through his head about how could that be possible in this country, in New York City, at the Pentagon and on Flight 93.

 

"The first responders didn't hesitate to get to the scene of all those areas," he said. "They put themselves in harm's way in order to make sure we knew where all those people were.... That's why they're first responders."

 

He thanked all local emergency personnel for their service, before the bell service. Later, he said he wants more people to attend the 9/11 services, that residents should never forget their sacrifice.

 

"I do whatever is necessary to make sure people know that freedom isn't free. There is a price to be paid.... "

 

Fire Chief Donny Lowery with the Escatawpa Volunteer Fire Department went through the numbers of NYC personnel and trucks lost to show the magnitude of the devastation of 9/11, especially in comparison to that day and what would be lost for his department. He and Chief Parks both believe in 'greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend ... and for people you don't know," as the reason for their careers.

 

"It's not because of the money. It's because it's something we love to do," said Lowery.

 

He said 9/11 brought firefighters across the country together, and it changed his life and the way security is handled in this country. "Everybody was put on alert. We had to look out for things we never had to look out for before, and some of those things still exist today."

 

Pastor Michael Perry of First Baptist Church SBC of Moss Point offered a Prayer of Unity based on the Book of Nehemiah: "Lord, if people have a mind and a will to work and work together you will bless them."

 

He asked for strength that the country rebuild. 'I pray that we have a mind to rebuild not only the physical structures but the heart of a people living and working together. We hope we will be a people who seek you for your will and direction."

 

Officer Bruce Lynd with the Pascagoula Police Department said, "What I remember about 9/11 is that people put their differences aside and said what can we do. We truly became the United States of America. ... We must never forget that fateful day."

 

Frank Duke with Acadian Ambulance Service talked about 9/11 firefighters as heroes and other emergency personnel. "Today I ask you to look around. We are all in the presence of heroes."

 

Elder Kelvin Bolton of the International House of Prayer received an ovation after his closing remarks and prayer. He had told the audience that as bad as 9/11 was, God said he had had mercy that day because the city of New York City had not been destroyed in the terrorist attack.

 

His words became moved as he talked about the mercy of God. "Every day that we get up, we have new mercies," he said.

 

He also talked about the dedication of police officers and other first responders, their lives and emotions; that police have to hold and comfort each other.

 

"You think the police don't cry? You think a man can't cry? They (in New York) were holding and comforting each other.

 

"Their lives were instantly changed. God gave their lives a brand new look. Not only can it happen in New York City. It can happen in Mississippi."

 

He told the audience to never forget the sacrifice of emergency personnel and service men and women who give their lives to protect America. "Never forget the sacrifices they make every day. Never forget we can lay down our lives for each other."

 

After the program, Police Chief Keith Davis remembered that day made America a country without races, physically because the ash made it impossible to tell who was who, and it unified everyone. "There were no different races. No white and black. Just God's people.

 

"It was the unity of everybody involved just for that moment in time. There is no difference between us. We are all one," he said.

 

Firefighter Roland Mims was 21 and in college in 2001. "When I first heard about it, I said we are in trouble," he said. "It was just great to see everybody come together and help each other."

 

He also appreciates the annual commemoration and that people honor first responders

Final Honor Flight Orientation Set August 24 at Joppa Temple

Billy Stokes

                                                               

Brandilyn Bates

Pascagoula High School - Senior

Pascagoula

WOOLMARKET -- Orientation for the final trip of Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Joppa Shrine Temple.

The sixth and final flight will be Oct. 1, leaving from Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.

"We need volunteers to help serve and assist for the day. Please arrive at 7 a.m. for setup and we will begin at 8 a.m.," said Jennifer Presley Walton, secretary,
of orientation.

Walton may be contacted at 251-709-7378.

Junior Guardians this year include Billy Stokes at Moss Point High, Sarah Jenne at East Central High and Brandilyn Bates at Pascagoula High.

Matthews Edwards

Gulfport High School - Junior

Gulfport

Senior Class President, Student Council, Beta Club, Spanish Club, Tennis team, Lockhearts Civic Club and Providence Hospital Volunteer. Granddaughter of a WWII veteran and Great-Granddaughter of two WWII veterans.

MGCHF-V

MGCHF-V

MGCHF-V

MGCHF-V

MGCHF-IV

MGCHF-VI

 

MGCHF-VI

MGCHF-VI

.

FLASHBACK: What's been going on this year?

A

restart .... 2013

Memorial Day observations include Sounds by Sea and services at Biloxi National Cemetery

Residents enjoy Sounds by the Sea during weekend Memorial Day observations honoring all military personnel who gave their lives during service to the United States.  

Honor Flight Movie Showing in D'Iberville Theater

D'IBERVILLE -- Wayne Lennep said earlier this week that 92 more seats were available to view the Honor Flight movie showing today. By 10:30 this morning that number had shunk to 51.

The show will be viewed from 7:30 p.m. to 9:37 at the Grand 18 Theatre in D'Iberville, according to Lennep, spokesman for Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight.

Cost for the movie is $10.

Visit http://www.tugg.com/events/2604 for more information.

Panetta Opens Trenches for Women to Serve on Front Lines

Women In Combat: Leon Panetta Removes Military Ban, Opening Front-Line Positions

 


Read online stories about new move by Pentagon chief Leon Panetta.

Jeff Bates Sets Concert for Gulf Coast Honor Flight

Jeff Bates will sponsor a benefit concert to raise money for Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight next month.

The country artist will perform at the Little River Marina in Escatawpa on Saturday, Feb. 16.

There will be souvenir HonorFlight/Jeff Bates T-shirts for sale, featuring many of the local heroes.

Tickets are available at 228-475-5244 and www.facebook.com/pages/Little-River-Marina/119066984825881

Contact Jennifer Presley Walton, secretary, Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight, at 251-09-7378.

http://www.jeffbates.net/

Reserve Chief Honored for 30 Years of Service

MOSS POINT -- Reserve chief Wess Jones was honored during the Jan. 03 meeting of the Moss Point Board of Aldermen.

Police Chief Keith Davis present Jones with a plaque for 30 years of service with the city. He began volunteering with the police reserve corp in February 1982.

Davis read a statement of honor before Jones told the city officials that he didn't think of the work as just a job, though it was dangerous work.

"Honor Flight-One Last Mission" Movie Screening Set Jan. 24

PASCAGOULA -- A movie screening for "Honor Flight- One Last Mission" will be hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight at the Grand 18 theatre in D'Iberville on Thursday, Jan 24, at 7:30 p.m.

"Honor Flight- One Last Mission" is a heartwarming documentary about four living World War II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give them the trip of a lifetime.

FreeThink Media is allowing Honor Flight Hubs across the nation to host these screenings. As the local hosts, our goal is to sell out the event and show just how much South Mississippi loves its veterans! 

 

"In doing so, we will also raise more awareness about the Honor Flight program in Mississippi, and more funds to keep the program going," said Jennifer Presley Walton, organization secretary.  

Tickets are only $10 each. You can make sure this event is a success by purchasing tickets online for yourself or to give to a veteran at http://www.tugg.com/events/2604

 

We hope that you will join us and tell others! See more information below.

 

For more information, contact Jennifer Presley Walton, secretary, MS Gulf Coast Honor Flight, at
251-709-7378.