Jackson County honors vets with 15th annual Veterans Day program

MOSS POINT -- First about 15 veterans of the U.S. Army stood. Then around eight from the Navy and eight from the Air Force. Then one Marine.

And then there was a pause to honor those who couldn't be at this ceremony or any other -- those soldiers who are prisoners of war or missing in action. And those who died serving their country.

In Jackson County, those who died in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars include Major Michael Green, Master Sgt. Scott E. Pruitt, Master Sgt. Coater DeBose, Sgt. 1st Class Sean M. Cooley and Sgt. Terrance D. Lee.

Dozens of veterans, along with family members and others from the community, attended the 15th Annual Jackson County Veterans Day program on Wednesday at the Moss Point Veterans Memorial Monument.

"Ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways during extreme times," was how Jackson County Supervisor Troy Ross described the veterans.

Ross is himself a veteran, having served in the Mississippi Army National Guard as a scout platoon leader in Iraq.

Ross especially praised the veterans of WWII, along with those who fought in Korea and Vietnam. He extolled the crowd, especially the young people in attendance, to talk to older veterans and learn their stories.

"As a veteran, I don't think I'll ever be asked to do the things that group did," he said. "At least I hope we don't need that type of sacrifice again."

He also spoke about soldiers' and veterans' families.

"I know you've lived through difficult times and kept the home fires burning," he said. "Thank you."

And he also turned to the students who had earlier presented the colors -- members of the Pascagoula-Gautier High School JROTC.

"We've got the next generation of veterans ready and waiting in the wings," he said.

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 3:47 PM with the headline "Jackson County honors vets with 15th annual Veterans Day program ."