Various events slated to salute veterans

Published 12:11 am Monday, November 3, 2014

NATCHEZ Miss-Lou residents will have several ways to honor veterans in the community during Veterans Day this year.

On Sunday, the City of Vidalia will host the annual Veterans Day parade, which will be led by grand marshal Seaman 1st Class Frank Williams.

Williams is a World War II Veteran who served in the pacific Theater and is currently commander of American Legion Post 590 in Vidalia.

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Vidalia administrative assistant Glen McGlothin said Natchez and Vidalia have agreed to alternate hosting the parade each year through the Miss-Lou Veterans Coalition.

“We have a lot of veterans right here in our towns that we can honor this way,” McGlothin said. “This way, everyone can have a chance to do that.”

Line up for the parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Vidalia Upper Elementary School, and McGlothin said anyone with a float is welcome to join.

All churches, schools, civic groups or individuals who want to honor veterans, McGlothin said, are encouraged to attend the parade, which will begin rolling down Carter Street at 2 p.m.

On Saturday, the Miss-Lou Veterans Coalition will host the annual flag retirement ceremony by the Boys and Girls Scouts and others on the Franklin Street side of the Natchez Convention Center.

Coalition president Doug McCallister encouraged anyone with an American, state or other flags that are weathered or tattered from use to leave their flags at Great River GMC on D’Evereux Drive ahead of the event.

The ceremony, McCallister said, will allow residents to participate in the formal retirement of flags and see the proper methods of folding, displaying and storing flags.

The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.

On Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., Veterans Day will be observed at Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus.

The Miss-Lou Veterans Coalition Honor Guard will present the colors followed by a program hosted by the college.

A Veterans Day ceremony will also be hosted at 9 a.m. Thursday at Vidalia High School with patriotic music and readings. All veterans are encouraged to attend.

For more information about the events, contact McCallister at 601-431-2096, McGlothin at 601-807-4580 or by searching Facebook for “MLVC Veterans Coalition.”