Veterans Honored At VFW Ceremony

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WATER VALLEY – Twenty veterans were honored Tuesday morning during Yalobusha County’s annual Veterans Day observance at VFW Post 4100, where community members, families, and supporters gathered to pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed in defense of freedom.

The morning ceremony opened with greetings from VFW Quartermaster Mickell Dunn, who has made it a tradition each year to highlight the story of an unsung hero. This year, Dunn shared the account of Pfc. Quincy McWhorten Lower, a Pontotoc County native who was killed during the Battle of Tarawa in 1943.

“An obscure soldier, but a hometown boy,” Dunn said as he began. He detailed the brutal three-day battle fought on a tiny Pacific island that claimed thousands of lives. Of the more than 5,000 U.S. Marines who landed on the beaches, more than 1,500 were killed or wounded on the first day. “That’s a hero,” Dunn concluded. “A hometown boy who gave everything.”

Next Dunn introduced the speaker.

“Let me introduce you to another hero. He may not think so, but he is a hometown hero,” Dunn said as he welcomed retired U.S. Army veteran Sammy Sain as the guest speaker.

Sain, who served 22 years of active duty, spoke about service, sacrifice, and the lasting bonds among those who wear the uniform. He opened his address by inviting veterans from every branch to stand and be recognized, prompting applause as members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard rose to their feet.

Sain then asked family members of veterans to raise their hands, reminding the crowd that “their sacrifices are part of every story of service.”

“No matter our background, rich or poor, citizen or non citizen, black or white, this is the day that we collectively honor the men and women who answered the call of protect freedom,” Sain continued.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Sain served combat tours in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His military career earned him numerous honors, including two Bronze Stars, four Meritorious Service Medals, and multiple commendations for heroism and leadership.

Sain emphasized the importance of teaching the next generation about service and patriotism, recalling how his children learned to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning while growing up on overseas military bases.

“These values must be taught. They must be lived, and they must be passed along. It is through these actions that they learn that freedom isn’t free, and that the strength of our nation depends on the character of his people. We pass it on not only through words, but through our examples, showing what it means to serve others, to love our country, and to stand for what is right. When the next generation concedes that spirit of sacrifice and honor in us, they will be inspired to carry the torch forward,” Sain told the crowd.

He also spoke about the personal costs of military life—the missed birthdays, family gatherings, and milestones that come with the call to serve. “Yet despite it all,” Sain told the attendees, “you stood strong and stayed committed to something larger than yourselves. That dedication is a testament to who you are and what makes this country great.”

As he closed, Sain described driving past the flag at Crawford Sports Complex that morning and feeling a familiar surge of gratitude. “When I see our flag waving, I’m reminded of the men and women who raised their right hands to defend it,” he said. “Freedom has never been free, and it never will be. To all veterans—thank you. Your service will never be forgotten.”