The Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton was the site of a solemn tribute Saturday as families, veterans, and members of the community gathered for the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony. The event, held Dec. 14, honored the service and sacrifice of over 1,800 fallen heroes laid to rest at the cemetery.
Sponsored by the Friends of Mississippi Veterans and Mississippi Veterans Affairs, Wreaths Across America is part of a nationwide initiative that began in 1992, when surplus wreaths were laid in an older section of Arlington National Cemetery. Now a national tradition, the ceremony seeks to "Remember. Honor. Teach."
Mississippi Veterans Cemetery Director Terry Tyler said that the dedication of the cemetery staff was incredibly important in making the event possible.
"It's vital. If we didn't have the staff that we have, their dedication and their care, it's not a job to them. We almost become family over time and they go way beyond their pay scale," Tyler said. "The truck with the wreaths were coming, and the guys got here at seven o'clock yesterday morning, and they did not leave until 8:15 last night. And that's because they were running late, and we had to unload the semi. So you can't buy that kind of dedication. And it is because they work here every day and they see what goes on with families and the veterans. So it sinks into your heart and you never forget it."
Tyler praised staff members Pamela Thornton, Kayla Brown, Cody Eurie, Jonathan Fox, and Bubba Finley for their commitment to honoring veterans and their families year-round.
Brigadier General Tommy F. Tillman, Jr., Chief of Staff for the Mississippi Air National Guard, served as the guest speaker. Tillman reflected on the significance of honoring fallen service members and supporting memorial sites like the Mississippi Veterans Cemetery.
"General Freeman invited me out to speak, and I served under General Freeman when he was the adjutant general for the state of Mississippi," Tillman said. "It's extremely important to honor our fallen veterans, so absolutely imperative that we keep this going. There's been a lot of volunteers that have done a lot of hard work to get this going, and the state VA has done a great job at making sure that they're keeping it funded. The grounds are immaculate out here, and it's extremely important to make sure we keep this going."
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch spoke on the importance of honoring veterans and their families.
"This is so special. These veterans gave their lives for us, the sacrifice that they made, their families made, to give us the ultimate privilege of freedom," Fitch said. "So we are always going to honor and keep their memories alive and be grateful for the work that they did for all of us."
State Senator Tyler McCaughn also shared his thoughts on the importance of the ceremony.
"I think this is one of the most important events we have out here every year. As you go into the Christmas season, you see the prevalence of mental conditions happening from people that are still grieving. And it's good to know that the support system is still there," McCaughn said. "These people that gave their lives for the greater good and served their country, it's good for families to know that they're not going to be forgotten even if they don't make it down here every year. You have people buried here from all over, and the fact that we have such a support system with the Friends of Mississippi Veterans, and that they do this every year, and it's such a priority, even this year, working through the night to be sure the wreaths were here for the families and for the veterans, is truly a blessing that we have here."
McCaughn also mentioned the significance of having the cemetery in Newton County.
"As a whole in East Mississippi, this is a true asset to have. It's not an economic development deal. This is a memory deal. This is honoring those who've given so that we still have the freedom," he said. "And I think on a statewide level, you have this one, you have the one at Kilmichael, and between those two, it just shows that the Friends of Mississippi Veterans and our veterans, our Commissioner for Veterans, have that strong motivation to continue the support for them. I think it's great for East Mississippi, I think it's great for Newton and Hickory, and I think it just brings people to know that their people will forever be immortalized here and they'll continue to be taken care of."
The ceremony began with a brief service before family members placed wreaths on the graves of their loved ones. Attendees were then invited to help lay wreaths on remaining graves as a symbol of remembrance and gratitude.
The Meridian High School JROTC were in attendance, as well as Boy Scouts of Ameria Troop 46.
Bill Freeman, Vice Chairman of Friends of Mississippi Veterans, said the organization raises funds annually to purchase the wreaths through donations and fundraisers.
The Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, along with its counterpart in Kilmichael, stands as a place of honor and remembrance, ensuring that the contributions of veterans are never forgotten.
For those unable to attend, the spirit of Wreaths Across America continues as a reminder of the mission to honor, remember, and teach future generations about the sacrifices of those who served.
