Avenue of Flags Memorial Day Ceremony in Gautier

GAUTIER, Miss. (WXXV)- The American Legion Post 1992 and the City of Gautier hosted their annual Avenue of Flags Ceremony at the Veterans Tribute Tower outside city hall.

The memorial event featured guest speakers, including U.S. Navy Captain Mary Katey Hayes, prospective commanding officer of the Ted Stevens Vessel.

Gold Star families stood in solemn remembrance and during a moving flag planting ceremony, each flag honored a fallen hero.

Among those placing a flag was Vicky Thomas. Her late husband served in the United States Marine Corps.

She reflected on what the ceremony means to her. “It’s very humble, to tell you the truth. I mean, we need to keep on recognizing, not just this day, but every day you see a service man. That’s serving now or with their hats on, buy ’em a meal, buy ’em a drink, you know, I mean, show ’em that you appreciate the service and the sacrifice that they did and their wives buy them one, they sacrifice just as much as the service people do.”