Members of the military past and present gathered on the lawn at Meridian City Hall Saturday for Military Appreciation day, an event hosted by The Meridian Star.

The sunny warm weather was just right for the picnic, which featured free food, pony rides, bounce houses, and much more. Timmy Segars provided music throughout the afternoon.

Robert Windham of Newton said he read about the event in the paper, and since it was such a pretty day, he wanted to bring his two grandsons, Aden and Axton, out to enjoy it.

“It means a lot to live in a country where we can have freedom to go out and enjoy the day with our children and grandchildren, that just means everything to me,” Windham said. “That’s why we have so many men and women who served and still serve. That’s why we have our freedom. “These are people who volunteer, we don’t even have to have a draft.”

Several mini therapy horses from Coyote Hills Equine Rescue and Therapeutic Riding made the trip from Chunky for the day, offering rides and sharing smiles with children and adults alike. Sully, a tiny horse who recently joined the crew of compassionate animals, was a big hit with the crowd. 

Also enjoying the day were sisters Alice and Fruzsina Roka, who were spotted at the petting zoo. The Lamar School students said it’s important to honor the military.

“Today is important because they fought for us and America wouldn’t be America without them,” Alice Roka said. “Today means that we can give back for what the military does for us, and celebrate America is free.”

Albara Rodriquez recently moved to Meridian in January and is stationed at Naval Air Station Meridian. He said the day proved that people really do appreciate what the military does.

“A lot of us in the military do a lot of different thing and make sacrifices,” Rodriquez said. “Many people don’t know what we do, and how difficult it can be. When we see people doing something like this it feels really good.”

Alexander Gould, publisher of The Meridian Star, said the day went well. 

“We are extremely pleased,  and happy with the turnout from the community, area businesses, and obviously the military,” he said. “I am really excited how those three different entities came together.”

“We think that is was an absolutely good success,” Gould added. “We are very pleased and as we talked to different people, they seemed to enjoy themselves. That was kind of the idea that we all come together and enjoy each other’s company. I absolutely see this as being an annual event.”