World War II veterans are dying off.
Some experts say the nation is losing 1,000 of those men — commonly referred to as the Greatest Generation — each and every day.
It must be a record of sorts that five men, all brothers who served during the war, are all still alive and well.
Monday, during their weekly luncheon, members of the Philadelphia Rotary Club honored those five men, known as the Jackson brothers, and three other WW II vets by presenting them with Distinguished Service lapel pins. Al Hopkins, who is running for the state’s Attorney General position and who is a retired major general for the Mississippi Army National Guard, was on hand to present the men with their pins and to thank them for their service.
“Where would we be right now without these great men and the millions of others like them?” asked Hopkins. “They were a part of the generation of greatness that freed countries and stamped out oppression.”
The five brothers, C. O., Fullton, Jeffie, Lawson and O. D. Jackson, each served with the U.S. Army. Four of the men served in the Pacific Theater with one battling on the European front. Two other brothers who were also on hand, Howard and Windell Jackson, served in the Korean War. Altogether, there were nine brothers and three sisters in the family.
“One of the brothers who served in the National Guard has passed away from cancer,” said O. D. Jackson, who is 96 years old. “The other brother died as an infant.”
All of the men were humble, as are many of the men who fought in the war. They said they appreciated the recognition — but they were just doing their duty.
“Today was fun and I’m happy to be here,” said O. D. Jackson. “But we were just doing what we were supposed
to do back then. I’m thankful we are still all together.”
“This was the best honor I ever received,” added Jeffie Jackson. “I’m proud of my brothers.”
Hopkins said these men are important figures in American history.
“These men can take their place alongside those who landed at Plymouth Rock and who signed the Declaration of Independence,” Hopkins said. “Because of them, the bells have a distinctive ring of freedom.”
All of the brothers served in different units while fighting in the war.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Five brothers, WW II vets, still together
Jackson brothers honored by Philadelphia Rotarians
- Local News
-
- Voters face Saturday deadline
- Site of sub commissioning changed
- Dulaneys to reign over 2012 Meridian Mardi Gras Weekend
-
Local law enforcement officials honored
State Rep. Greg Snowden said he remembered as a child looking up to those "men in blue."
He said police officers in uniform were larger than life, riding in their patrol cars and carrying guns to protect and serve the population. Today, he said he is still in great admiration of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that citizens can feel safe. -
MPD probes vehicle crash
Evidence of a mother's desperate attempt to save her children from harm were spread all over a car lot — and could be seen on her as well in the form of bruises, cuts and scrapes.
Tuesday night, a vehicle with three children inside crashed through a plate glass showroom floor window damaging four new cars and totaling the vehicle the children were in. -
Skeleton found in residence
Members of the forensics team of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) were called to a dilapidated home in Chunky to probe the discovery of a skeleton.
-
Police search for robbery suspects
Two men who reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in the parking lot of a local bank are still being sought.
Mike Vick, public information officer with the Meridian Police Department, said the two men approached a woman about 8 p.m. Tuesday at the ATM of Regions Bank on North Hills Street. Vick said one of the suspects was armed with a handgun and after taking an undetermined amount of cash and the victim's car keys, the two suspects fled on foot. -
City cuts payment to Watkins
The Meridian City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cut their monthly payment to David Watkins, project developer of Meridian's new police station, by $9,999 until work resumes on the project.
The order, made during the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday morning, included a mutual agreement between the councilmen and Watkins to reduce the project developer's monthly consultant fee of $10,000 to $1, effective Tuesday. -
Crews work on gasoline pipeline
If you hear a loud, booming sound early today, between 4 a.m.-10 a.m., there is no cause for alarm.
Workers with Plantation Pipeline will be performing maintenance work on their 30-foot gasoline pipeline in the Meridian area to accommodate the widening of Highway 493. The location of the work activity will be at Highway 493 North and Oak Hill Baptist Church, just inside the city limits. -
Team Spirit
- More Local News Headlines
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
