The Gold Star mother of Marine, Corporal Michael Brandon Presley, is laying a wreath in honor of her son and other service members who have died in the line of duty.
She walks beside Major General Janson Boyles towards a battlefield cross outside of the Two Museums in Jackson.
Corporal Presley was killed in Iraq on December 14, 2005, following injuries he sustained while protecting a convoy of military vehicles. His mother, Pam Presley Tolbert, says she's proud of her son and the sacrifice he made, but she mourns his loss. She says "The suicide bomber's goal was to hit the convoy and blow it up, but my son stopped it. Some of the shrapnel hit my son and he was hurt. I'm here to support the military, the veterans, and bring recognition for my son as well, and show how much support I have for the military and veterans. People that served."
Major General Boyles of the Mississippi National Guard is thanking service members for their sacrifice. He defines a veteran as someone who takes an oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States. "Calvin Coolidge remarked 100 years ago that a nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten. That is why we are here today," says Major General Boyles. "This is Veterans Day, this is the one holiday where we recognize all of those who have served in the military, and those who are currently serving."
The Mississippi VA reports there are approximately 187,000 veterans across the state.
