By Nancy Green
Afghanistan and Kosciusko were linked with a spirit of patriotism and unity during a flag presentation ceremony held at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Kosciusko last Thursday in commemoration of Independence Day.
Major General William L. Freeman Jr., Adjutant General for Mississippi, made the presentation of a flag flown by the 168th Engineer Brigade headquarters in Afghanistan during a mission near Bagram. “They thought this an honor to fly this flag for our state veterans back home,” said Gen. Freeman. It was the idea of Col. Durr Boyles to send flags home to the State Veterans Homes in Mississippi.
As Adjutant General for the state, Gen. Freeman serves as the Commanding General of the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard. He is responsible for providing the State of Mississippi and the United States with a ready force of over 13,000 citizen soldiers and airmen, quipped and trained to respond to any contingency, natural or manmade.
A crowd assembled under the breezeway and entrance to the home for the ceremony and presentation.
By satellite, Col. Durr Boyles, Task Force Storm, Bagram AFB, Afghanistan made the presentation. The flag was handed to residents of the home Veteran Charles Carlisle, Veteran Louis Horne and Veteran Carl Allen, then unfurled and raised the flag at the pole.
The National Anthem was sung by Miss Mississippi Christine Koslowski who was presented flowers by Veteran Cecil Harrison.
Big Red Band played patriotic music.
There was a flyover during the program by AH-64 Apache Helicopters.
Presentation to the home of a replica of the sword presented to Gen Taduesz Kosciuszko by Napoleon was made to the home and was accepted by Administrator Mrs. Sheri Roebuck.
As the program began following the flag ceremony, the American Legion Riders arrived and joined the crowd. Veteran Dolores Jordan led the pledge of allegiance followed by “This is My Country,” by Big Red Band.
Mrs. Roebuck welcomed the crowd and introduced board members Jo Leslie, Hayes Dent, Gen. Wayne Burkes, Mendal Kemp, Gen. James Garner and James Richmond.
Closing prayer for the ceremony was by Veteran William Rowzee.
Following the ceremony, the crowd moved inside for refreshments.
