WESSON — Wesson celebrated Veterans Day by dedicating a new memorial in downtown Monday morning. Mayor Alton Shaw, Tori Earls, Bobby Thornton and Tommy Tillman spoke before a crowd of veterans, residents and members of the Wesson band. 

The memorial is located at Wesson’s park on Church Street and will be a place for people to respect the service members who served America. Shaw said the idea for a memorial at the park came in passing. 

He said Wesson started the process of getting a design done and figuring out where to put a Veterans Memorial. Wesson looked at areas and asked where they could get the money for the project. 

“Perseverance over time led to this. We will continue to add to the memorial,” Shaw said. “The service branch’s different symbols will become bronze medallions placed on the brick. A grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield helped pay for the project. There was a huge ditch here that we had a lot of infill to do. They were gracious in helping us. Our own public works department did a lot of the work in house. Their hard work helped. Tori Earls with Woodmen Life donated the flagpoles. Thank you so much.”

Shaw thanked the veterans in attendance for their service. 

“You did more than most people are willing to do,” he said. “We are proud of you and what you have done.”

Gen. Tommy Tillman with the Mississippi Air National Guard was next to speak. Thornton introduced him as a Copiah County native. They both went to Copiah Academy and Tillman went to Southern Miss where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. 

Tillman assists Mississippi’s Air National Guard commander in formulating and coordinating policies and programs for the 172nd Airlift wing and 176th refueling wing. Thornton said Tillman has numerous awards and deployments but most of all he is proud to call him his friend. 

“Going into the service helped me. Thank you to the veterans here, you went before me and paved the way for me,” Tillman said. “Your service was more difficult than mine. Because of you, I’ve had a chance at an outstanding career. I also want to say thank you to the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. If you want to help and contribute, give your resources to them. We don’t just honor Veterans today, we honor them 365 days a year.”

Tillman said it was his privilege to celebrate veterans as people gathered across America to do the same. He explained they were gathered in the name of peace and to stay thank you for the courage of veterans. 

“The land of the free and home of the brave. A beacon of hope in an often troubled world,” Tillman said. “From the minute men to today’s warriors, the line of Americans willing to risk their lives is never ending. They have served with honor and dignity. They have all served and sacrificed and have preserved peace. They have lived uncommon lives under a common banner. It is therefore fitting to pause and recognize them.”