The City of Hattiesburg announced in a press conference on Friday that its 2025 Veteran of the Year is retired Master Sergeant Mark Jordan. Jordan served in the United States Air Force for more than 23 years before retiring in 1999 and returning home to Hattiesburg.
In the 25 years since returning to his home community, Jordan has demonstrated a spirit of community service. He is a minister at Mount Zion Baptist Church, regularly participates in youth mentoring programs, adopted Hawkins Elementary School through the city’s Adopt-a-School program, served in a leadership role in the 2023 Wreaths Across America Program with the Daughters of the American Revolution, serves as the Veteran Services Coordinator for the Hattiesburg DAV Chapter 62 and is director of the Pine Belt Purple Heart Homes program dedicated to finding assistance for home repairs for Veterans in need.
“Master Sergeant Jordan exemplifies dedication, leadership and community spirit,” said chair of the Hattiesburg Veteran of the Year Selection Committee, retired Colonel Sheila Varnado. “His works in the Hattiesburg community reflect his heart for people.”
Jordan leads with a personal philosophy of consideration for the community and his fellow man- asking what people need, not why they need it. His unwavering dedication not only to veterans, but to the community as a whole, serves as an example of a servant leader.
“To be recognized by the Hattiesburg Veteran of the Year committee is a true honor,” said Jordan. “This truly means more to me than I can fully express.”
