Veterans Honored On Armed Forces Day
Silver and gold balloons were released at the Armed Forces Day Celebration on May 19 in remembrance of veterans who are no longer with us.
By Julia Thompson
Special To The Herald
WATER VALLEY – There was a capacity gathering at the Railroad Park Museum on Armed Forces Day, May 19, to honor veterans who have served in all branches of the armed forces. The veterans and their guests were treated to a barbecue banquet with all the trimmings, prepared by volunteers with the Yalobusha Patriots, a local non-profit group dedicated to honor all veterans on patriotic holidays.
Highlighting the program were District 33 State Representative Tommy Reynolds, who gave an impressive speech on the history and purpose of Armed Forces Day; and Bree Thompson’s awesome, signature solo of “The Star Spangled Banner!”
A surprise drawing of a beautiful, king-sized patriotic quilt was the coveted prize of the winner, Korean veteran Melvin Ford, who exclaimed, “I have never won anything in my life.”
Thompson also delighted the audience by closing the program with an invitation to the audience to join her in singing “God Bless America.”
After the closing, veterans and their guests were invited to view Casey Jones Railroad Museum. Everyone left full of awe and with a greater understanding of the importance of the railroad in time of war and peace. After viewing the museum, the group battled the heat, but stood proudly for the traditional releasing of balloons in remembrance of those veterans who are no longer with us.
The Yalobusha Patriots wish to extend their thanks to the Lion’s Club for the use of their building and especially to Korean War veteran Curtis Berry, curator of the museum, for his patience and extra time he spent giving the veterans the opportunity to walk down memory lane and recall the importance of the railroad to our veterans during the history of our great country.
Lastly, “Hats Off” to the North Mississippi Herald for allowing us space in the newspaper to reach out to our veterans and say “Thank You For Your Service!”
God Bless America – Yalobusha Patriots
