MS veterans honored in Jackson ceremony ahead of Veterans Day. See what was said

In the cool morning air under overcast skies, the Mississippi National Guard's 41st Army Band proudly played the Star Spangled Banner. The Museum of Mississippi History provided a stoic backdrop.

Dozens of people were gathered to watch the Veterans Day Ceremony on the Entergy Plaza of the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 9. Some were veterans, all were celebrators of Mississippi's military.

The ceremony was co-sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi Veterans Affairs and the Mississippi War Veterans Memorial Commission.

Opening the ceremony, President of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees Spence Flatgard, introduced Chaplain Larry Banks.

Banks' prayer echoed through the plaza as guests bowed their heads.

"Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with brave men and women who are willing to defend our freedoms," Banks said. "May your protection and your grace surround them each day. Let your healing hand be upon those who suffered wounds and injuries. May those who have made the ultimate sacrifice rest forever in your holy presence."

After Banks and the crowd said "Amen," Judy Fortenberry of the Daughters of the American Revolution led the pledge of alliance standing at the podium between the American and Mississippi flags.

Flatgard thanked guests for attending and acknowledged the sacrifices of the men and women serving around the world today.

"You know, one of the most important stories we tell here at the Two Museums are the stories of our nation's veterans," Flatgard said. "And they served in all the armed conflicts that our nation has had, and that dates back to the American Revolution. And they're at their posts right now protecting our freedom. So we think about that and we honor them, our noble veterans."

Flatgard acknowledged and told two important stories in Mississippi. The first was of William Winter.

"He was a young World War II soldier on a boat heading to Japan," Flatgard said. "I think about him today. He served as the president of the board here for 50 years."

"I also think of Medgar Evers, African American soldier that went oversees and defended our freedom," Flatgard said. "And then he came back here to Mississippi and he helped launch the Civil Rights Movement."

The comments on Medgar Evers were met with silent nods in the audience.

Next, Command Sgt. Maj. Silvester Tatum of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board spoke on the history of Veterans Day. He noted that Thursday's program was the fourth ceremony held at the Two Mississippi Museums.

"We intend and hope that if you are watching this ceremony today, whether it's live, online, through the report of the news or anywhere else that you may want to watch this, I hope that you're honoring all veterans across the state," Tatum said.

Tatum also acknowledged the approximate 187,000 veterans currently living in Mississippi, which makes up about 7% of the state's population. Many of those veterans reside in Jackson, at one of the four Mississippi veterans homes. Tatum said the board is in the process of building a new veterans home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where 30% of Mississippi's veterans live.

Following Tatum's remarks, the 41st Army Band played the themes of each military branch. Current members and veterans of the Army, Marines, Navy, Airforce and the recently created Space Force, stood as their theme was played.

Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard, introduced the laying of the memorial wreath, a symbolic ceremony that mirrors one performed every Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Texas.

Following tradition, Boyles acknowledged a Mississippi veteran. This time, he honored the late Gen. Al Hopkins who died in February of this year.

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"Upon learning of his passing, I was overwhelmed by the number of lives and military careers I learned Gen. Hopkins impacted," Boyles said. "There is no greater advocate for our service members and our military than Gen. Hopkins, and whether it is ensuring our military history to make sure it is preserved through his service in the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Board or personally mentoring a junior officer, many of us have benefited from his mentoring."

Hopkins' wife, Ruth Hopkins, was meant to join in on the laying of the wreath. However, Boyles said this morning he received word that Ruth had taken ill.

"Our prayers are certainly with her for a speedy recovery," Boyles said.

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn joined Boyles and the Mississippi National Guard to lay the memorial wreath.

The National Guard's memorial volley ripped through the subdued sunny skies, ringing out loudly before the Army Band played Taps.

Master Sgt. Carroll Davis concluded the ceremony with a poignant prayer.

"Father, father, we come today filled with gratitude and humbled by our freedom, but we know that freedom is not free. In order to grant us freedom you sacrificed your only son to break the change of sin," Davis said. "And in order to grant our country's freedom, millions of men and women have submitted their lives to serve on our behalf. Help us to remember that their service likely meant sacrifice, being away from loved ones, eyes that cannot un-see war in memories that do not seem to fade."

Davis' voice cracked as he continued.

"Father, help us to remember the sacrifice of their families," Davis said. "The parents who exchange last hugs before deployments never knowing if they would see their baby again. The moms and dads raising the children of our military personnel willingly taking on the role of both mother and father. The kids who wait patiently by the door day after day and just waiting for their hero to come back home."

The sergeant concluded with hope for the future.

"Keep our eyes fixed on the day when the world would know no more war, when your peace will sweep over our land and finally heal our brokenness," Davis said. "Oh God, we long for that day, but for now, we thank you for your son who descended from heaven and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Amen."

"Amen," the crowd echoed.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 2023 Veterans Day: MS veterans honored in Jackson MS ceremony