Since World War I, 173 Hattiesburg-area members of the military have given their lives in the service of their country.
Those individuals – along with all those across the country who have died in service – were honored at Hattiesburg’s 40th annual Memorial Day Program, which was held May 29 at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Hattiesburg. The ceremony was hosted by the Hattiesburg Veterans Committee.
“This is a somber occasion, when we honor the memory of all our brave men and women of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our country,” said Ted Tibbett, who serves as chairman of the Hattiesburg Veterans Committee. “(These are) 173 who heard the call from their country and answered with their life.
“To the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to all veterans, we say ‘thank you for your service.’”
The ceremony began with the posting of the American flag, which flew at half-staff until noon to honor deceased veterans. LaDonna Tyson of Petal then sang the National Anthem before Bob Thames, a former Hattiesburg Veteran of the Year, gave the invocation for the event.
That was followed by the posting of flags from each of the branches of the United States military, which was handled by VFW Post 3036.
Shortly thereafter, the names of all 173 fallen soldiers – which are etched on the park’s granite pillars – were read, with the tolling of a bell after each one.
“Memorial Day represents a day of great mourning and also immense gratitude,” Mayor Toby Barker said. “This year I’ve become more focused not just on the 173 people who died, but rather the stories they were actively writing – stories that ended far too soon.
“Given that these 173 spanned World War I all the way to the Global War on Terrorism, think of what didn’t happen because they didn’t come get to come home. Think of families that were never formed, children that were never born, professions … that were never embarked on because they or their descendants were never here to do those things.”
A part of the program was then dedicated to the three men who lost their lives during Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are the most recent names etched on the park’s pillars. To honor those individuals, Congressman Mike Ezell wrote a letter to their families, which was read by Tibbett.
“On this Memorial Day, I want to personally express my condolences for your loss,” the letter read, in part. “I know mere words cannot and will not bring back their smile, laughter and the love that you enjoyed so much, but I hope you find some small solace in the grateful nation’s remembrance.
“As your congressman, it is my honor to have an American flag flown over the nation’s capital as a tribute. May God bless your family with comfort and strength.”
Near the end of the ceremony, wreaths were placed at the park’s pillars for each of the major wars since World War I.
The ceremony was concluded with the singing of “God Bless America,” “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes, a 21-gun salute from the cannons of Camp Shelby, and “Taps” played on bugle by Howell Purvis of VFW Post 3036.
