Salute to our Veterans honors veterans at Cruise Central

Today’s Cruisin’ the Coast events have been centered around our military veterans.

Years ago, organizers would take the block party to the VA Hospital in Biloxi, but because of factors like construction and COVID, they now host a Salute to our Veterans at Cruise Central.

During the salute, the Gulfport Fire Department presented the Flag of Honors and the National Anthem was performed.

For Vietnam veterans like Greg Ferris, having ceremonies like this make them feel appreciated, especially considering the lack of it many felt when they first returned home from war. Ferris said, “It’s pride. We see a lot of pride with the old guys especially because we didn’t go through this when we came home. When we came back in the 70s, we were kind of shunned. My home town was very pro Marine Corps, so we didn’t have that problem, but a lot of guys did.”

Concluding the Salute to our Veterans was a performance by Garry Wesley, who is considered the number one Elvis impersonator in the country.