Special to Wesson News
Declaring that honoring the nation’s armed forces to be an everyday occasion, Wesson Alderman Michael King led an array speakers and special guests on Veterans Day in dedicating a new Veterans Memorial that will make sure town does just as he said.
A crowd of veterans, residents and members of the Wesson High School band participated in the celebration that also featured commentary by Wesson Mayor Alton Shaw and guest speaker Mississippi Air National Guard Brigadier General Tommy Tillman and a presentation of Colors by local American Legion members and Tori Earls from Woodmen of the World, which donated flagpoles for the Memorial site.
The Memorial is located at Wesson Municipal Park on Church Street, and Mayor Shaw said it will be a venue for people to respect service members who served America. Shaw explained that the Memorial started with an artist’s design, and Town looked at potential locations and how to generate funds for the project.
“Perseverance over time led to this,” Shaw said. He singled out Blue Cross-Blue Shield, which provided grant money, for thanks, along with varied town leaders and public officials.
Tillman said it was his privilege on Veterans Day to celebrate men and women who have served the country, and noted people throughout the nation are gathering in the name of peace to say thank you for their courage.
“The land of the free and home of the brave, a beacon of hope in an often troubled world,” Tillman proclaimed. “From the minute men to today’s warriors, the line of Americans willing ot risk their lives is never ending. They have served with honor and dignity. They have all served and sacrificed and have preserved peace. They have lived uncommon lives under a common banner.”
At the dedication, Wesson American Legion Commander Brigadier General Bobby Thornton, Chamber of Commerce President Teri Bath and veterans cut the ribbon in unveiling a bronze battlefield cross monument that will be the central feature on the new memorial.
Other participants in the dedication ceremony were Skylor James (The National Anthem), Alton Ricks (the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag), Wesson High School Band (the Armed Forces Medley of service music), Mississippi Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Steven Lane (gun salute), Pastor James Harris and Mississippi Army National Guard Chaplain Captain Chris James (invocation and benediction) and Mississippi State Guard First Lieutenant Chuck Wallace (Taps).
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