More than 450 retirees of Meridian and Lauderdale County rocked the house Thursday evening, November 19, for the 12th Annual Meridian Retiree Celebration.

Besides the delicious Squealers BBQ supper, live music from the Main Street Band, and numerous donated door prizes from local businesses, the highlight of the evening was the NTTC Meridian SHIPMATES.

Twenty-five of the Navy’s finest (and youngest) danced with those without partners, served drinks and desserts, carried plates, and with their energy, enthusiasm, and youth provided the perfect counterpoint to the evening.

“We not the stars of the evening, we’re just background. These kids are the real stars”, enthused

Dutch Hannah, bongo drummer for the Main Street Band.

Our grateful thanks go to the men and women of NTTC Meridian SHIPMATES under Commanding Officer CDR Chris Bownds, and SHIPMATES Coordinator SH1 Richard Woods. The following young men and women shared not just a meal or a dance with our area’s seniors that night, but a part of themselves that won’t be easily forgotten:

PS1 Taylor; LSSR Roslin, Joemarie; LSSR Eaton, Joshua; PSSA Effler, Brandon; LSSN Castillo, Isaias; LSSN Sanz, Andrealynne; YNSA Ford, Elijah; YNSR Tackett, Jacob; YNSR Wallace, Lormar; LSSA Figueredo, Daniel; LSSN Soares, Marianna; LSSR West, Lauren; LSSR Lawing, Daniel; LSSR Melendez, Michael; PSSN Yancey, Payton; LSSR Diem, Ashley; SHSN Williams, Deniqua; YNSN Thomas, Haley; LSSN Parnell, Edna; LSSN Myles, Shakeisha; LSSR Metz, Ashley; LSSA Parker, Chase; and SHSR Johnson, Edwin

Despite the economy, generous door prizes were donated by 63 local area businesses, including flower bulbs from Van Zyverden, Inc., Mississippi State University’s Riley Center for Education and the Performing Arts, Meridian Little Theater, Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Outback Steakhouse, Mississippi Development Authority, and Amtrak.

Sponsors of this annual event were City of Meridian, Meridian Retirement Connection and its Hospitality Committee. Additional assistance came from the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, Amtrak, Meridian Coca Cola Bottling, and RSVP, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.