GULFPORT -- On July 8, Capt. Rick Burgess took on duties of new commanding officer of the Naval Construction Battalion Center and 20th Seabee Readiness Group.
Naval Construction Battalion Center Changing Hands
Local 15 TV
Burgess took over from Capt. Lou Cariello.
Both officers are with the Civil Engineer Corps.
Change of Command at NCBC
The Sun Herald/July 9, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Chaplain Kilmurray Receives Bronze Star
BILOXI -- Lt. Col. Fintan Kilmurray, a chaplain, has received the Bronze Star for outstanding work with the Mississippi Army National Guard's 184th.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Moss Point Firefighters Train in Heat to Fight Fires
MOSS POINT -- Check out this broadcast from WLOX TV 13 showing Moss Point firefighters training in 90-degree heat to keep themselves in shape to fight fires during the summer months.
Photograph from wlox.com.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Americans Celebrate National Flag Day, Week
Barak Obama, Bill Richardson and Hillary Clinton during the national anthem at an Iowa campaign stop in 2007.
GULF COAST -- American Legion posts in Harrison County and Gulfport conducted ceremonies today in observation of Flag Day.
Several cities in Jackson County did not conduct observances, which may be held during National Flag Week, June 12 -18.
According to wikipedia.com, one of the longest-running Flag Day parades is held in Quincy, Mass., which begin in 1952, celebrating its 59th year in 2010, making 2011 the 60th year. The 59th Annual Appleton Wisconsin 2009 Flag Day Parade featured the U.S. Navy. The largest Flag Day parade is held in Troy, N.Y., which bases is parade on the Quincy parade and typically draws 50,00 spectators.
A press release from the White House included the presidential proclamation for Flag Day and National Flag Week.
"On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted a flag with 13 stripes and 13 stars to represent our nation, one star for each of our founding colonies. The stars were set upon a blue field, in the words of the Congress's resolution, "representing a new constellation" in the night sky. What was then a fledgling democracy has flourished and expanded, as we constantly strive toward a more perfect Union.
"Through the successes and struggles we have faced the American flag as been ever present. It has flown on our ships and military bases around the world as we continue to defend liberty and democracy abroad. It has been raised in yards and on porches across America on d
ays of celebration, and as a sign of our shared heritage. And it is lowered on days of remembrance to honor fallen service members and public servants: or when tragedy strikes and we join together in mourning. Our flag is the mark of one country, one people, uniting under one banner.
ays of celebration, and as a sign of our shared heritage. And it is lowered on days of remembrance to honor fallen service members and public servants: or when tragedy strikes and we join together in mourning. Our flag is the mark of one country, one people, uniting under one banner. Stony Hill School, in Waubeka, Wis., is site of the first formal observance of Flag Day.
When the American flag soars, so too does our Nation and the ideals it stands for. We remain committed to defending the liberties and freedoms it represents, and we give special thanks to the members of the Armed Forces who wear our flag proudly. On Flag Day, and during National Flag Week, we celebrate the powerful beacon of hope that our flag has become for us all, and for people around the world.
To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as "Flag Day" and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 8, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President annually issue a proclamaton designating the week in which June 14 occurs as "National Flag Week" and call upon citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2011, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 12, 2011, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during that week,
and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag. I also call up the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth."
BARACK OBAMA
Monday, June 6, 2011
Veteran Rodgers, Family Surprised by WWII Attention
Bilbo Rodgers of Pascagoula (Meet the Heroes)PASCAGOULA -- Bilbo Rodgers has a second invitation from the Pascagoula Rotary Club to attend their meeting on Wednesday, June 8, at the Grand Magnolia Ballroom.
The invitation is part of the public attention that has been bestowed upon Rodgers, a veteran of World War II, since he and 83 other veterans made the inaugural trip of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight on May 11.
The invitation is part of the public attention that has been bestowed upon Rodgers, a veteran of World War II, since he and 83 other veterans made the inaugural trip of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight on May 11.
The Mississippi Press/June 06, 2011
He feels "pretty good" about all the attention, though he and his family have been surprised my his seeming celebrity status now.
He feels "pretty good" about all the attention, though he and his family have been surprised my his seeming celebrity status now.
"I've done got to be real popular," he said this morning. "They're excited about it. They think it's real good."
Though he didn't know it until the next day, the greeting between his daughter, Julia Holmes, and himself at the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, where Gulf Coast residents had gathered to welcome home the Honor Flight veterans, was the front page photograph in The Mississippi Press.
"That flight to Washington really brought it to the light," he said. "I didn't think all of this would come of it."
Though he didn't know it until the next day, the greeting between his daughter, Julia Holmes, and himself at the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, where Gulf Coast residents had gathered to welcome home the Honor Flight veterans, was the front page photograph in The Mississippi Press.
"That flight to Washington really brought it to the light," he said. "I didn't think all of this would come of it."
At the WWII memorial, Rodgers was among three South Mississippi veterans who took part in the laying of a wreath.
Holmes, Rodgers' eldest daughter and child, also is excited about the attention he's received lately, he said.
Rodgers said all of the World War II veterans were treated to a number of recognitions by area businesses and community groups before they made the May 11 trip to the nation's capital to tour the WWII monument built in their honor. The veterans also toured memorials for soldiers who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars, and they were part of a sight tour of the Lincoln Memorial.
"Before I went on the flight Ingalls gave us a big dinner for the World War II veterans," he said.
During April, Beau Rivage casino provided a tribute that included a show. Veterans were allowed to bring another guest, said Rodgers. "I carried Aubrey Williams and another guy from our area."
Petty Officer 1st Class Philomena Roberts
D'IBERVILLE -- Petty officer 1st Class Philomena Roberts was found dead in her home on June 1, 2011.
Media reported that Roberts had a gunshot wound to the chest.
(Update: On June 29, D'Iberville police charged Roberts' husband, Troy Eugene Roberts, with murder in her death. He was being held in jail on an unrelated charge -- a felon in possession of a concealed weapon, reported as a switchblade -- since he reported her death, saying that they'd been out drinking, but he'd taken home before leaving again, and found her dead when he returned. See the June 30, 2011, issue of The Sun Herald.)
According to the newspaper, Philomena Roberts was from Arkansas, had a son, and had been in the Navy for 14 years. The petty officer was a logistics specialist with the Seabee Readiness Group in Gulfport.
She had served on the USS Merimack and USS Nimitz. She also had been stationed in England at the Naval Air Facility Mildenhall and in Virginia at the Center for Combat Learning Site and the Naval Special Warfare Group. Roberts was a member of Little Rock Baptist Church in Gulfport, and a survivor of breast cancer.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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."
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."
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Sounds By Sea Set May 29 at Beach Park
The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra has scheduled its annual Memorial Day salute to the military this Saturday and Sunday.The Jackson County segment of Sounds by the Sea 2011 has been set for Sunday, May 29, at Pascagoula Beach Park.
The pre-concert at 7 p.m. features the Freedom Chorus before the symphony orchestra begins its tribute at 7:30 p.m.
In Harrison County, the concert takes place Saturday, May 28, at the Centennial Plaza, which is the old Veterans Administration property in Gulfport.
In Gulfport, the pre-concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. with music from the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Civic Chorale; at 7 p.m. the Coastal Vibrations from the Jefferson Davis Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Commmunity College will provide their military tribute before the symphony ; 7 p.m. and symphonic music starts at 7:30 p.m.
Gates open at 6 p.m. at both Sounds by the Sea.
The pre-concerts and orchestra performances pay tribute to the memory and service of personnel in all American military branches, and are part of celebrations for the Memorial Day Weekend that begins Friday, May 27, and ends Monday, May 30, which happens to the actual date of the holiday.
The events are free to the public, but VIP seating is available for $300 per table, which seat eight people. The tables are limited. Interested residents should contact the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra at 228-896-4276.
According to information from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in Pascagoula, the Sounds by the Sea at the Beach Park will be broadcast live on AM 1580 WPMO and AM 1440 WVVG. The concert may be heard at http://www.talkradio1580.com/ live, or residents may use the link http://talkradio1580.com/2601.html.
Users of iPhones may go to the App Store and download the free app listed as Talk Radio 1580. Blackberry and Android users may download the free Tunein.com radio app and search for WPMO. The App Store will have Tune IN Radio.
Downtime before Next Honor Flight
NOTE FROM JEN:
David Comstock has tickets for the Gulfport Kiwanis Club Crab Boil, which is Saturday, May 21, starting at 6 - 10 p.m. at Bayou Bluff Tennis Club.
Tickets are$15.
This would be a good time for us to sit back and relax after our first flight.
David Comstock has tickets for the Gulfport Kiwanis Club Crab Boil, which is Saturday, May 21, starting at 6 - 10 p.m. at Bayou Bluff Tennis Club.
Tickets are$15.
This would be a good time for us to sit back and relax after our first flight.
New Police Chief in Moss Point
MOSS POINT --Former police investigator Keith Davis was sworn in as Moss Point's new police chief during a ceremony Monday, May 16, at Pelican Landing Conference Center, according to media reports
Davis, 40, came to Moss Point from the D'Iberville Police Department, where he had been captain of the Criminal Investigations Division. He has 18 years of experience in law enforcement.
Davis replaced former Police Chief Shelia Smallman, who became Moss Point's top officer in 2008. She made history when she became the first female police chief in Moss Point, and only the second female to officially hold the office of police chief within the six counties that make up South Mississippi.
Smallman was dismissed in March after the Moss Point Board of Aldermen expressed a lack of confidence in her leadership of the police department. Deputy Chief Bobby Johnson served as interim chief until Davis was hired.
Reports from The Mississippi Press said that Davis began his law enforcement career with Gulfport Police Department, where he became sergeant during his seven years there. He worked as police chief at the Perkinston Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
He earned a bachelor's degree in justice adminstration from University of Southern Mississippi, and is a graduate of Mississippi Law Enforcement Command College at University of Mississippi. He also is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy.
The Sun Herald reported that Davis has pledged to build trust within the police department and among residents in Moss Point. The Mississippi Press reported that Davis calls himself a "man of faith." He said he has faith in faith in God, in the city's police personnel and city leadership, and faith in his years of police training.
Davis, 40, came to Moss Point from the D'Iberville Police Department, where he had been captain of the Criminal Investigations Division. He has 18 years of experience in law enforcement.
Davis replaced former Police Chief Shelia Smallman, who became Moss Point's top officer in 2008. She made history when she became the first female police chief in Moss Point, and only the second female to officially hold the office of police chief within the six counties that make up South Mississippi.
Smallman was dismissed in March after the Moss Point Board of Aldermen expressed a lack of confidence in her leadership of the police department. Deputy Chief Bobby Johnson served as interim chief until Davis was hired.
Reports from The Mississippi Press said that Davis began his law enforcement career with Gulfport Police Department, where he became sergeant during his seven years there. He worked as police chief at the Perkinston Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
He earned a bachelor's degree in justice adminstration from University of Southern Mississippi, and is a graduate of Mississippi Law Enforcement Command College at University of Mississippi. He also is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy.
The Sun Herald reported that Davis has pledged to build trust within the police department and among residents in Moss Point. The Mississippi Press reported that Davis calls himself a "man of faith." He said he has faith in faith in God, in the city's police personnel and city leadership, and faith in his years of police training.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
ALL ABOARD! : Veterans Off to Washington
Kim Foster, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight, directs veteran J.B. Redmond at Joppa Shrine Center. (Photo: Harlan Kirgan/The Mississippi Press) WOOLMARKET -- THE BIG DAY IS HERE!
www.mgchonorflight.org
Catch today's printed Mississippi Press and online updates for first Honor Flight for WWII vets.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Honor Flight: Last Call for the Big Day
Bilbo Rodgers of Pascagoula, James Beasley of Natchez, and Henry Little of Pascagoula are among the WWII veterans making the first Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight. (Photos from Meet the Heroes)
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI -- Today marks the final day before nearly 90 veterans from World War II will board a flight to Washington, D.C., where they will view the monument built in their honor as well as several other war tributes.
The first Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight begins about 5 a.m. at the Joppa Shrine Center in Woolmarket, where members will load buses to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport for the trip to the nation's capital.
MEET THE HEROES: A tribute and history of the veterans vailable at The Mississippi Press.
The veterans are expected to receive a coastwide send-off in the morning and a hearty Welcome Back at the airport when they return Wednesday night about 7:30 p.m.
ROTC students and various other military groups, cheerleaders, high school bands and other students, businesses, residents and coast government officials are expected to number about 3,000, according to Wayne Lennep of Moss Point, vice president and spokesman for Honor Flight.
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