East Mississippi Veterans Memorial Foundation
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HONOR – EDUCATE – INSPIRE
Veterans Day, 2020, is Wednesday, November 11th. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, and the 30th anniversary of both the end of the Panama Invasion and the beginning of Desert Shield. The East Mississippi Veterans Memorial Foundation believes it is time to show our appreciation and respect for this area’s selfless veteran service members.
The East Mississippi Veterans Foundation was founded in September, 2018, and established in December, 2018, with the idea of honoring Meridian and East Mississippi’s area veterans, service members and military due to the relationship and connection to the military Meridian has had over 80 years. This long connection has been a vital and intricate part of the community-culturally and economically. Their primary goal is to create a perpetual Veterans Memorial Park, providing Meridian and East Mississippi a 24/7, 365 day a year venue to honor and recognize the men and women – past, present, and future – from Meridian and East Mississippi for their service and sacrifice that has preserved the freedoms we cherish as a nation and a community. Knowing the community cares for its service members and veterans creates the perfect environment to build a venue dedicated to service members, veterans, their families and the military.
East Mississippi Veterans Memorial Foundation is a local organization founded by local veterans wanting to bring honor and recognition to our areas large and diverse group of service members and veterans. The aircraft being used as a permanent display at the park, is an actual jet used by 
Meridian’s 186th for over 11 years. There are hundreds of men and women that still live in the area that have a personal connection to or memory of this jet. Not many projects of this nature can claim having an actual jet that was part of the community on display.
“There is power in numbers and when we come together, we can collectively make great things happen within our community that will enhance our unity and improve the quality of life. That is one reason we belong to the Chamber; to have their help in achieving our goal of making the East Mississippi Veterans Memorial Park a reality,” says Jeffrey G. Summerlin, founder and President: 27 Year Veteran of the Air Force and Mississippi Air National Guard.
“In the short term, our foundation wants to complete the East Mississippi Veterans Memorial Park. In the long term we want to expand our program to benefit local service members, veterans, and their families in numerous ways like college scholarships, assisting homeless veterans, job placement, etc. Though we are not a business in the community, this project will promote tourism in our area, improve quality of life, and be an instrument in the area’s economic revitalization. We believe the East Mississippi Veterans Memorial Park will truly be an asset to Meridian and East Mississippi.”
Once completed, the East Mississippi Veterans Park will be a gathering place for classrooms, ceremonies, celebrations, reflection, and conversation – all related to HONORING, EDUCATING and INSPIRING residents and visitors alike! President Harry S. Truman said it best “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
Honoring All Who Served – East Mississippi Veterans Memorial Foundation
P.O. Box 4755, Meridian, MS