Veterans honored for sacrifices, valor

Over thirty veterans were honored at the Holly Springs Veterans Day Celebration, Friday, held in the Eddie Lee Smith Multi-Purpose Center on Ida B. Wells Street (formerly Memphis Street).

Elected officials, school children, and first responders were among the guests.

Circuit Clerk Monet Autry served for the second year in a row as mistress of ceremony.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn III represented the board of supervisors with words of welcome and gratitude to veterans for their service.

“Never was so much owed by so many for the few who protected our lives and our democracy,” he said.

Holly Springs Alderman-At-Large Dexter Shipp offered the welcome on behalf of the city “to be here this morning with such a courageous group of people.”

Veteran Terry Lawrence with the U.S. Army provided Scripture from John 15:13.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” “Take a moment to thank them for keeping us safe in the U.S.A.,” he said.

Veteran Roy Ray thanked city and county elected officials for the vision and plan for the service for veterans “and allowing me to participate.”

The United States and Germany signed an armistice that ended World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. The agreement and Armistice was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 as a time to honor all veterans, he said.

Memorial Day honors all veterans who died in active service. Armed Forces Day honors all persons currently serving.

“Democracy and Freedom Freedom is not free,” Ray said.

“This is why we all should remember what our veterans have done everyday of the year,” he said. “You should say `thank you for your service.’ Without the providence of God I would not be standing here.”

Ray was injured when a mortar round struck just a foot from his foot. He was injured but lived to serve God.

“Walk closely with Jesus. He is our great protector,” he said.

Nathaniel Holloway, U.S. Army, said when he was called to go to the military, he thought it was the worst day of his life.

“But now I know “I’m going to Jesus,” he sang.

Holly Springs Mayor Sharon Gipson expressed her gratitude for veterans and first responders for their service to the community. And she welcomed guest speaker Dr. Stephen Redmond, a Gulf War Combat Veteran and Mississippian.

Redmond’s first action when arriving in the city was to kiss the ground.

A graduate of Rust College, he passed through Rust while enlisted in the Marine Corps. He left Rust to serve from December 10, 1990, to June 23, 1991, in active duty.

He said veterans are a large and diverse group from many social backgrounds.

His mother is the first black police officer serving in Atlanta and Mississippi.

“That was the blueprint of my life,” he said of following in his mother’s footsteps.

“It’s more than an image. It’s a lifestyle,” he said.

As a youth, Redmond said he got into trouble, didn’t want to respect authority and didn’t care about an education.

He attributes the Marine Corps for saving his life.

“It helped me to see the world in a different way. I saw the true meaning of brotherhood. You have to depend on your brothers and sisters to help you through,” he said. “God has called people into service. They walk out of the uniform and then serve their community. It’s a special calling you can’t leave behind.”

“I am so proud to be a person of your legacy,” he said to veterans present.

Looking up to David Beckley, Redmond remarked, “Wow. He went to Viet Nam.” The enlisted go to foreign countries to find meaning, he said.

“When they get home, they may not have a job, not have housing or get an education,” Redmond said. “I know what it is to be homeless, to file bankruptcy. I know what it is to dig down and say `this ain’t me. I always knew there was something in me.”

The military training helped him find himself.

He said there may not be a parade for black and brown veterans when they get home.

“When I came home there may not be a meal cooked,” he said.

Veterans are coming home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and 22 veterans commit suicide on an average day, he said. Veterans make up 33 percent of the homeless population in the United States.

“Our veterans ought to be treated like rock stars,” he said.

A small percent of veterans want to live on the street.

Redmond said society should push for more veterans to get home ownership.

And women in the military should be treated fairly, he said.

“Push for legislation to help get more benefits for our sisters,” he said.

“For some reason, God put some people on earth to be the protectors of others,” he said. “We have to love each other as God loved us.”

Autry thanked Redmond for telling his story.

“It is a blessing he is here to share his story,” she said. “Hopefully, he has inspired these young people. When you tell your story, you inspire other people to share their story.

Some veterans in attendance included:

Lee Edwards

Demarcus Jones, Army

James Moore, Marine Corps

William Wright, Army

Broderick Robinson, Army

Willie E. Folsom Jr., Army

Joe Sumner Jr., Marine Corps

Jimmy Howell, MarineCorps

Donald Warren, Marine Corps

Lee DeBerry, Vietnam

Charles Pope, Marine Corps

Adrian Morales, Army

David Beckley, Army

Nathaniel Holloway, Army

R.J. Wilson, Navy

Terry Lawrence, Army

Sylvester Martin, Army

Randy Shipp, Army

David Caldwell, Army

Edwin Burton, Army

Otis Russell, Army

Charlene Echols, Army

Thomas Lester, Army

Enoch Lester, Army

Archie Wilkinson, Navy

Lawrence Finley, Army

Marvin Lucas, Army/Guard

John Barksdale and Jatavis Walker, students at Holly Springs High School, sang “Wave My Hand.”