INSIDE THE VMM - Memorial Day 2021

It has been so great to be back at the VMM with the lifting of restrictions and hosting so many of our new Harvest Hosts friends. I had planned this installment of inside the VMM for the end of April or beginning of May, but we've just been so busy, it has taken me this long to get things done. 

There is SO MUCH going on this month and I'm only going to touch on a couple of the really big ones in this episode. I'll be following this up pretty quickly with the next installment because we are going to have 2 new displays that will be unveiled on Memorial Day, and a new donated piece for the exterior of the museum. 

So, this episode I wanted to show one of our new displays. It is monument to the 3 Laurel/Jones County natives who are recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military award there is. Mississippi has only had 18 winners (*Yes...I say 16 in the video, but it's actually 18) and 3 of them are from our community. This is something to be recognized and celebrated. So...we did!

We also address the addition of a new fundraising project with our newly created VMM/Laurel Army Air Base  t-shirts. We have them at the museum and Peddler's Junction in downtown Laurel is also handling some for us...and in just a couple of weeks, they are proving to be very popular. I hope that we will be adding some new colors in the next few weeks, for those who want a little more "spice" (...instead of gray and tan). 

Of course, the big "events" of the month of May for the VMM is the 2nd Annual MEMORIAL DAY GOLF TOURNAMENT on Saturday & Sunday, May 29 - 30. This is a new, major fundraising undertaking for us, and since we were forced to postpone last year's tournament, we are anxious to get this one done! And, as always, on Monday, May 31st, the VMM will once again host our live MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY on the grounds at the VMM. There will be some limitations due to Covid-19, like refreshments outdoors, and tours being limited to small groups. The wearing of masks will be optional, but we will encourage the use of hand sanitizer, social distancing,  and minimal touching of the exhibits. 

The keynote address on Memorial Day will be Pastor Bryan Beech, the pastor of Myrick Church of God. An army veteran, who works in hospice care counseling veterans, he is a very dynamic speaker and I encourage everyone to come to this year's commemoration to help us honor those members of the US military who paid the ultimate price! As always, the Mays Family will be on hand to provide the special music, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans/Jones County Rosin Heels will provide the 21 gun salute and the presentation of colors will be provided by Chapter 59 of the Disabled American Veterans. 

It all starts at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 31st and I do hope to see you all there!