Hattiesburg restaurateur honored as 2022 Veteran of the Year
Hattiesburg restaurateur Nelson Haskin was named the city's Veteran of the Year for his service to his country and his community.
Retired 1st Class Sgt. Haskin, 47, owns four restaurants on Front Street and is about to open a fifth.
"Not only does he work hard for himself and his family, he unselfishly makes time to provide his invaluable industry insight, business advice and mentorship to other aspiring entrepreneurs," said retired Col. Sheila Varnado, chair of the Hattiesburg Veteran of the Year committee.
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Haskin served in the Army National Guard from 1995-2001. From 2008-20, Haskin served in the Army Active Guard Reserve before retiring from the military.
Haskin and his wife, Felicia, in 2017 opened Blu Jazz Cafe. He later added Nellie's Chicken and Daiquiris, SouthBound Bagel and Coffee and Hattiesburgers and Blues.
He is currently working on opening Bourbon on Front Street in the former 206 Front building.
The Haskins are a big part of downtown Hattiesburg's substantial growth, Varnado said.
"Haskin, a visionary leader, can see what can be, then works hard to turn it into reality," she said.
Haskin said he was thankful and humbled to be honored as Veteran of the Year.
"I always want to give thanks to God for giving me the strength and the ability to wake up every day and do what it is we love to do," he said.
In addition, Haskin thanked his wife for her support in his endeavors and throughout his military career. His parents and two sons also are a part of Haskin's network of supporters, he said.
"I looked at the past (Veteran of the Year) winners and just some of the names — it humbled me to be a part of that group. I was looking like, 'Man, I don't deserve to be on this,'" Haskin said. "There's a lot of great people."
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Hattiesburg holds Veterans Day events
The city of Hattiesburg each year holds a parade and ceremony to honor local veterans who served in all branches of the military.
Instead of a guest speaker this year, the city will honor past Veterans of the Year and the families of those who are no longer living, said Ted Tibbett, chair of the Hattiesburg Veterans Committee.
A Veterans Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Hardy Street Baptist Church and roll down Hardy Street to Veterans Memorial Park, where paradegoers can attend the Veterans Day ceremony, which begins at 11 a.m.
The city built the park in 1984 when the late Bobby Chain was mayor. On the pillars welcoming visitors to the park are the names of the 173 service members from Hattiesburg who died while in wartime service to their country.
The park will be rededicated at this year's program. In addition, volunteers from Quilts of Valor will present a quilt to Haskin and other Veterans of the Year who have not received a quilt in past years.
Veteran of the Year was added to the program 28 years ago. Vietnam War veteran Charles Brown was the city's first Veteran of the Year.
ROTC holds 24-hour vigil in Hattiesburg
The University of Southern Mississippi's Air Force ROTC will begin a 24-hour vigil at the pillars at Veterans Memorial Park at 11 a.m. Thursday.
The names of the service members killed in action will be read aloud at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The vigil will continue until the service begins Friday morning.
Golden Corral to honor veterans on Monday
The Hattiesburg chapter of Disabled American Veterans invites veterans and their families to join them from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Golden Corral on U.S. 98 for Military Appreciation Day.
Veterans and active-duty service members will be able to enjoy a free meal that day, DAV Chapter 62 Commander and retired Army Lt. Col. Frederick Varnado said.
The Hattiesburg chapter is in its second year providing a variety of resources and assistance to disabled veterans in the area.
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Armed Forces Museum to honor McComb woman killed in Iraq
The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby is unveiling a new exhibit honoring Lance Cpl. Casey Casanova of McComb.
The museum will dedicate a bust of Casanova by artist Cliff Leonard at the event, which begins at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Casanova, 22, was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom on May 3, 2008, when Casanova and three of her fellow Marines were on patrol when their Humvee was hit by an improvised explosive device.
She is believed to be the first female servicemember from Mississippi killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Petal High JROTC to host Veterans Recognition and Appreciation Ceremony
Petal High School's JROTC program will host its annual Veterans Recognition and Appreciation Ceremony on Friday to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces and their families.
The event will begin with breakfast at 8:45 a.m. in the PHS cafeteria, followed by the recognition and appreciation ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in the school’s gymnasium.
Veterans and guests will enjoy performances by members of the Petal High band, show choir, digital media and speech and debate teams.
In addition, the youngest, oldest and longest-serving veterans will be recognized for their service.
Veterans Memorial Museum in Laurel to hold program Friday
The Veterans Memorial Museum in Laurel will hold its annual Veterans Day event beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the museum.
Dr. Robert Hilbun will be the guest speaker.
A reception will follow the ceremony, with food and beverages from Raising Cane's.
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This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Nelson Haskin is Hattiesburg Veteran of the Year; Veterans Day events
