Fallen soldiers letters to home read at Memorial Day Service in Biloxi

On Memorial Day, many across South Mississippi took the time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. A crowd gathered at Biloxi National Cemetery to pay their respects.

Gold Star families assisted in escorting a wreath to its resting place, while the choral society sang patriotic music for the crowd. 

81st Training Wing Commander Colonel Billy Pope Jr. served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. 

During his remarks, he read letters sent home from service members before their deaths. One read: ‘Today is probably the worst day of my entire short life. My best friend in this place was killed. He was only 22 years old. I can still feel his presence as I write this letter and I hope that I am able to survive and leave this place far behind. If there is a place called hell, this place must surely be it. I hope that their death is not in vain.’ – Stan, to his mother from Vietnam.

“How fortunate we are to be in a position to share anecdotes like these from such extraordinary souls who walked among us,” Pope said. “It is our duty to honor them and to represent them in the lives that we live.”

Volunteers are needed to pick up the flags currently placed at each grave at the cemetery. That pick up event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 1st.