Star Editorial

Schools and government offices will be closed Monday in observance of Veterans Day, but the federal holiday is about much more than having a day off.

Veterans Day, celebrated annually on Nov. 11, is a day set aside to recognize the scores of men and women throughout our nation, past and present, who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It is often confused with Memorial Day, held on the last Monday in May, which is a holiday to recognize deceased service members.

Mississippi, Meridian and Lauderdale County have a long history of sending their sons and daughters to defend our country. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau estimates approximately 6.9%, or just shy of 147,000 Magnolia State residents have served or are currently serving in the military. In Lauderdale County, that number jumps to 11.2%.

The national average is 6.1%, Census Bureau data shows.

Locally, the Mississippi Air National Guard at Key Field and Naval Air Station Meridian are inseparable from the non-military community, with actively serving, part-time, retired and civilian employees of both installations settling in the area.

In a letter written in January 1790, America’s first president, George Washington, called the formation of our government “the last great experiment.” Now, almost 235 years later, we get to continue what he and our other founding fathers started as we prepare to welcome our 47th president into office next year.

There isn’t much about America that hasn’t changed since George Washington’s time, but the one thing that has remained constant throughout is the willingness of brave men and women to defend our country and preserve liberty for future generations.

On Monday, the annual city/county Veterans Day ceremony is set to begin at 10 a.m. at the doughboy monument in downtown Meridian. If it rains, the event will be moved to the third floor auditorium in City Hall, which is directly across from the doughboy.

The Veterans Day parade will follow at 3 p.m.

Meridian Community College will also hold a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday in the Graham Gymnasium to kick off a series of events to mark Military/Veterans Appreciation Week. The event is set to begin at 11 a.m.

We strongly encourage all residents to attend one of these events, but for those who can’t, take some time Monday to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and recognize the generations of military service members who swore to protect them.

It is because of veterans that our last great experiment persists.