State Salutes Mississippi Veterans and their Families

Veterans Day Services at the War Memorial in Jackson

Mississippi is perhaps one of the most patriotic states in the country. Yesterday they came together to honor the brave men and women who put their lives in harm’s way. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Dozens of veterans and civilians turned out for an hour long ceremony at the War Memorial Building in Jackson yesterday. Mississippi's Adjutant General Major William L. Freeman Jr., officiated.

“We owe them a debt we can never repay. All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us. But we must honor them with deeds not just words. Live your lives and be good Americans and then all Veteran’s will be proud to know that their sacrifices were not in vain.”

The ceremony include a wreath laying and a 21 gun salute in honor of those Mississippi soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Mary Robinson of Jackson received a gold star on behalf of her son Sergeant Christopher L. Robinson who died in Afghanistan three years ago. Since then she says veterans day has had even more meaning.

“This morning when I went to the cemetery they were putting out the American flags and I thought what am I doing here? And I then I thought well, I represent all of the other mothers that have lost a son or a daughter in wars previously. It’s more emotional and you pay more attention when you’ve lost a love one.”

For Leo Windham, Adjutant for Mississippi Disabled American Veterans the day is even more somber because of the recent killings at Fort Hood.

“It’s a pain just like 9/11, we never thought it would happen here. We never thought that would happen on a military base because of the security and this that and the other. And it’s just a disaster and yes it brings it real close to home. And your son, my son and a lot of other good innocent GI’s training to protect our country lost their lives for nothing”

General Freeman called on all Mississippian's to support soldiers and their families everyday of the year, not just Veteran's Day. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.