Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College hosts annual Veterans Day Program and 5K
PERKINSTON, Miss. (WXXV) — Veterans Day is an important holiday of remembrance across the United States, especially here in South Mississippi.
“It’s a huge sacrifice and a huge responsibility that a lot of Americans — a lot of people — don’t choose to take that torch,” Senior Master Sergeant Aaron Z. McKenzie explained.
It’s a day to recognize the contributions of the men and women in the Armed Forces, from the Army to the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines and the newest Space Force.
“There’s a lot of things that people don’t see behind the scenes,” McKenzie said. “You get the glorified stuff up front, right? Or you get the super terrible stuff, but you don’t see all the work that’s in the background. You don’t see the tears, the sweat, the blood that comes with doing this job, and each moment they have to sacrifice to protect this country.”
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College held its annual Veterans Day Program in the Hayden Student Union Banquet Room on Monday, featuring remarks from McKenzie. He currently serves as the Cyber Defense Operations Superintendent at the 255th Air Control Squadron, Mississippi Air National Guard, in Gulfport.
The event also featured performances by the Band of Gold Brass Ensemble and Perk Singers.
Following the program, students and faculty had the opportunity to join together and participate in a 5K across campus, honoring those who served while having a bit of fun on a chilly afternoon.
“Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is so happy to be out there for our veterans, because of where we’re located right in between Keesler and Camp Shelby, the Seabee Base, all the other military installations in the great state of Mississippi, and the number of community members who we have that serve the military,” Dr. Brad Bailey, the Vice President of the Perkinston Campus and George County Center, said. “It’s an honor to get to serve them and honor them on this particular day.”
Aside from thanking those veterans that you might meet, McKenzie encourages everyone to sit down and take the time to get to know them — you never know what you’ll learn just by taking the time to hear their life stories.
“When you meet these people, these veterans, stop and ask them their story,” McKenzie explained. “Find out what their experiences were, their background, how they moved from being a civilian to now being a veteran. That journey could inspire you, and maybe not for a military life, but for your professional life: going to college, going for that job you didn’t think you could. Their stories are always so inspiring, so ask a veteran their story and see if you can draw inspiration from it.”
