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USM Veterans Center Partners with Local Support Agencies for Memorial Day Flag Planting

Wed, 05/01/2019 - 09:50am

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families, in collaboration with the American Legion Post 24, the Hattiesburg-area Marine Corps League (Commiskey-Wheat Detachment) and VFW Posts 3036 and 5397 recently established a partnership for Memorial Day 2019 to honor fallen service members interred at local South Mississippi cemeteries. 

This community-wide initiative is being planned as a joint effort involving Hattiesburg-area military support organizations and caring local agencies for the purpose of demonstrating respect and honor for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 

The partnership is being led by the USM Veterans Center under the auspices of the campus chapter of the Student Veterans of America. USM veterans will be working closely together with Hattiesburg-area military veteran support organizations and others who passionately care for those who have served in uniform. 

The plan is to dedicate Saturday, May 25th as a day for placing United States flags on the graves of more than 1,000 local fallen heroes who gave their all for freedom of choice. The Marine Corps League (Commiskey-Wheat Detachment) purchased flags in support of this event.

The idea to combine the efforts of many local organizations for a collaborative event belongs to USM graduate Pat Carter. Well over a month ago he visited with the USM Veterans Center suggesting “we work together as one” to participate as “a Memorial Day team” in placing United States flags on the graves of our fallen. 

In the past, Memorial Day flag placement has been duplicated across South Mississippi cemeteries and unfortunately, in some cases, military service member cemetery markers were left untouched. With this in mind, the USM Veterans Center hosted a planning meeting of local military veterans support organizations where thoughts were shared and ideas developed on how the units could work together as one team in honoring Memorial Day.

It is important to recognize and note that Memorial Day is a federal holiday for remembering, and honoring those who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This most honorable, unique and respectfully solemn holiday is traditionally observed on the last Monday of May (this year May 27th 2019).

For years, remembering fallen service members was a “small town” occasion for family reunions, picnics and time with close friends. Following the Civil War, many Americans expressed the desire for a patriotic observance to honor those who gave their all in defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic. In this regard, monuments honoring fallen service members and solemn ceremonies devoted to include caring for grave sites occurred throughout the nation.

In 1971, by a formal act of Congress, Memorial Day was designated as a national holiday and is now celebrated on the last Monday in May.

About the Veterans Center

The USM Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families provides caring support to Student-Veterans at both our Hattiesburg and Long Beach campus sites. The Center exists on three principles: (1) We lead by example; (2) We love our students; and (3) We provide the finest in higher education customer service. We have a full-time Veterans Services Officer on-site along with a Veterans Administration Vet Success on Campus Counselor to provide for local area Veteran needs. Please visit our campus location in Hattiesburg at 3503 Morningside Drive and be a part of our celebrating the lives of those who serve for Our Freedom.  Please contact our program direct for more information by calling 601-264-4629 or online at usm.edu/military-veterans.