Remembrance and Respect: Fallen military veterans honored
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Hundreds of people march across the Mississippi River Bridge in Natchez Monday morning during the annual Memorial Day Parade in 2019. This year instead of trekking across the bridge to the Natchez National Cemetery on foot, all participants will be masked and gloved and stay inside their vehicles through the duration of the event. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
Loretta Shelly pauses at the grave of her husband of 42 years, Vernon Shelly, a Vietnam veteran who died in 2014. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
Natchez High JROTC member Kianna Bates salutes as the National Anthem is sung by Damira McGruder. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
The color guard and members of the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program lead the procession the cemetery. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
The playing of "Taps" during the ceremony Monday. (Ben Hillyer /The Natchez Democrat)
NATCHEZ — Hundreds of people turned out for the 153rd Miss-Lou Memorial Day Celebration on Monday at the Natchez National Cemetery.
Members of a community band kept a steady drum cadence as they marched along the parade route on Cemetery Road in Natchez with veterans and everyday citizens who turned out to show their respects to the fallen military men and women who died in service to the nation.
Krystine Gatlin said she traveled from McComb on Monday to take part in the annual Miss-Lou Memorial Day celebration.
“Memorial Day is a time for remembrance and respect for our fallen heroes who have given their lives for the ultimate sacrifice,” said Gatlin, a retired Army veteran of 26 years.
Gatlin said she chose to participate in Natchez’s celebration Monday over other celebrations in Baton Rouge or McComb, and she brought her daughter Olivia Thomas, 24, a student at Texas A&M along with her.
Kianna Bates, a junior at Natchez High School, was on hand Monday to present and retire the colors as a member of the JROTC program.
“I love it,” Bates said of the Memorial Day program that she said she has participated in for three years. “It is interesting.”
Her fellow JROTC member Kiseki Hamilton, a sophomore agreed.
“I think it is a great way to remember people who served our country,” Hamilton said.
Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell was on hand and read a proclamation declaring Monday Memorial Day in Natchez.
Members of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, Calvin Butler and Rickey Grey also were on hand as well and Butler read a proclamation from the county.
Laura Ann Jackson was the master of ceremonies for the event that included prayers from Douglas McCallister of Point Man International Ministries.
Snogjagela Johnson, Natchez Veteran Service officer, was the speaker for the day, and quoted John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” in honoring the fallen war heroes who had made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
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