Lauderdale County residents will commemorate the 18th Anniversary of the 2003 Lockheed Martin shooting in a series of events the week of July 6-11. 

The celebration offers a chance for the community to reflect on the tragedy.

In 2003, a worker at the Lockheed Martin plant near Meridian fatally shot six of his coworkers – DeLois Bailey, Sam Cockrell, Micky Fitzgerald, Lynette McCall, Thomas Willis and The Rev. Charles J. Miller. 

The first Reconciliation Celebration was celebrated in 2008. The theme for this year will be Staying Resilient for Reconciliation.

The week of events will include:

At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, there will be a Lemonade Day Kick-off press conference at Dumont Plaza, with lunches delivered to first responders.

The Rev. Charlie Miller Memorial Service will take place Wednesday, July 7 at 11:45 a.m. at Union Station with Wade Phillips, executive pastor of Northcrest Baptist Church as the speaker. The Reconciler Award will also be presented to two deserving members of the community on Wednesday.

Tickets for the event will be $10. 

The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast will start at 6:45 a.m. on Friday at Meridian City Hall. The event will also include prayers from local pastors and a panel discussion on reconciliation. During the event, donations will be accepted at the door. 

On Saturday, July 10, a Memorial Motorcycle Parade led by the Queen City Cruisers will start at Lockheed and go to downtown Meridian and Forest Lawn Cemetery. The parade will start at 11 a.m. 

The week will end with reconciliation Sunday, in which local pastors are encouraged to lead congregations in prayer for reconciliation.

Throughout the week, videos will be posted on the Reconciliation Week Celebration Facebook page, and community leaders are invited to share their thoughts about reconciliation on the webpage.

For the 12th year, two deserving Lauderdale County high school graduates will receive the Rev. Charlie J. Miller Memorial Scholarships for $300.00. Recipients of the scholarship will read their essays on the Reconciliation Week Celebration Facebook page.

The East Mississippi Volunteer Hub for Volunteers and Non-profits will receive the committee’s charity spotlight and donation.

Yellow and black bows will be displayed throughout the week at city and county offices.

Those who want to attend an event can register at CelebrateRW@att.net by including name, event and number of participants.

About the Reconciliation Committee:

After forming in 2010, the mission of the Reconciliation Committee is to unite the community in the spirit of reconciliation in honor of the lives lost in the Lockheed tragedy of 2003, a media release said. The committee’s goal is to create positive changes by bringing together people of diverse backgrounds in various venues. The Rev. Charlie J. Miller Foundation is the parent organization and has 501(c)(3) status. Donations are accepted and are tax-deductible, a release said.

Those needing more information can call Stacey Miller, committee chairman at (601) 482-2489 or (601) 616-2879.