Lauderdale County residents are invited to pay their respects to America’s military service members this fall as America’s Freedom Tribute comes to the East Mississippi Veterans Park.
Set for Oct. 9-11, the event will bring the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, an 80% replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. The wall stands more than eight feet tall and stretches more than 360 feet long, with the names of more than 58,300 Americans who died in the Vietnam War.
In addition to the Wall, the East Mississippi Veterans Park will also host the Cost of Freedom Tribute, which recognizes the nation’s history of military service since World War I. Made up of 17 panels, the display includes stories, photographs and information to help viewers understand the cost of armed conflicts.
Mike Couch, one of the organizers for the event, said the Tribute is going to be an activity residents throughout East Mississippi are not going to want to miss. From a worship service to benefit concert, the schedule will both honor those who served and educate the public about their sacrifice.
“We’re going to honor over 620,000 soldiers and heroes that gave their lives so we can have the freedoms we have today,” he said. “We’ve got a lot planned. We’re pulling out all the bells and whistles. It’s going to be a huge event.”
America’s Freedom Tribute will kick off Friday, Oct. 9, with an opportunity for field trips to come to the Veterans Park and view the exhibits. Both the Vietnam Memorial Wall and Cost of Freedom Tribute will be on display for children to learn and explore the nation’s history.
On Saturday, a ceremony will take place featuring the 41st Army Band playing a sunset concert, Couch said. The event will conclude Sunday with a worship service, including a color guard, bagpipes and 21-gun salute as local veterans send the two traveling exhibits on to their next destination.
While in Meridian, the event will be open 24-hours a day, beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and ending at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11.
“It’s going to be huge. We’re going to have a veteran’s resource area set up, so like I said, invite everybody,” he said.
More information about the event and volunteer opportunities can be found at strongertogetherfoundation.org/freedom.