The poppy flowers were handed out and placed at the foot of the memorial wall honoring fallen soldiers from WWI through the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

    It is official.

    The Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery that has been hailed as “The Arlington of the South,” was dedicated Monday on Memorial Day in front of an overflowing crowd of veterans, family members, and local and state political figures.

    Now the gentle rolling hills sitting on 75 acres that only a few years ago was home to some cattle is hallowed ground for the men and women who have died, and who will continue to sacrifice their lives, for the freedoms we enjoy in America.

    Drawing upon the significance of the day, Randy Reeves, Deputy Director of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board, said the years of hard work put into this project from local, state and federal leaders have culminated into one of the most memorable events in his life. Reeves put this crowning achievement into perspective when he said, “For all the hard work that went into this to become reality, it is nothing compared to the work it has taken this country’s service men and women who fight abroad for our freedoms.”

    The dedication opens Phase I of the project in which approximately 5,000 interment sites will be available for those Mississippians who served in the nation’s military services. The cemetery land, located between Newton and Hickory on Highway 80 West and which borders Interstate 20, was donated by Mississippi State University. Phase I will end up costing an estimated $7 million with more expansion to come as the space is needed.

    Jo Leslie, President of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board, said now the state is able to honor those who have fought and died for our country.

    “This has been a labor of love and now I think I can sleep,” Leslie said. “It really didn’t hit me until last Thursday that we were finally going to get this project to where we all hoped and dreamed it would be.”

    Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant told the crowd that in the last month Rankin County has had to endure the loss of two of its sons in the War Against Terror. He said he sat in the car with the parents of the young men as the flag draped coffins were unloaded from the jet.

    “There is no describing the pain these parents feel,” Bryant said. “There is no honor, or monument, or medal we can give them that will take that pain away. But maybe, with this cemetery, we can provide those families and those military service members a fitting and honorable place.”

    The first interments are tentatively scheduled for the first week in July. Whenever a burial ceremony is to take place, the large American Flag that dominates the tallest hill on the site and which can be seen clearly from both Highway 80 and Interstate 20 will fly at half mast a half hour before and after the ceremony.

    This is to signal to all those passing by a veteran is being honored and that freedom is never free.