Salute to our Veterans at MGM Park
Service men and women put their lives on the line every day to ensure our freedom stays intact. Today, cruisers from across the country honored those heroes who have served. News 25’s Katarina Luketich takes us to today’s Salute to our Veterans event at MGM Park.
When former volunteer firefighter Patrick Yglesias saw a 1955 Chevy 210 with a 9/11 tribute painted on the side, he knew he had to have it. “When I saw this car come up, it just said something to me. I had to see if could buy it.”
The car’s original owner designed it in honor of his son who died in the terrorist attacks that changed our country forever. Yglesias tells News 25 there was no question in his mind; he wanted this car, symbolic of heroism and strength, to line the warning track at MGM Park to honor our veterans. “If it wasn’t for people like these veterans, these men and women that have worked so hard and dedicated their lives for this country, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” said Yglesias.
Honoring veterans like Vietnam War vet Edgar Booth of Ocean Springs, who not only came out today as one who served our country, but as a cruiser with his 1930 Ford Model A Coupe. “I wanted to come out and salute other veterans,” said Booth, “I’m a veteran myself and I wanted to pay my respects to all the other vets.”
Salute to our Veterans was a hit at the ball park, the first year this event has been held at this location. The salute to veterans has become a Cruisin’ the Coast tradition, a tradition that veterans truly enjoy and appreciate. “They could be doing other things during Cruisin’ the Coast,” said Booth, “But this is important, they recognize veterans and pay their respects to veterans and I appreciate that.”
Antique cars on a baseball field, American heroes and beautiful weather, not a bad way to spend a Tuesday.
There will be a downtown Biloxi block party from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, a Blessing of the Classics in Diamondhead from 3 to 6, and more autocross racing and an auction at the Coast Coliseum throughout the day tomorrow.
When former volunteer firefighter Patrick Yglesias saw a 1955 Chevy 210 with a 9/11 tribute painted on the side, he knew he had to have it. “When I saw this car come up, it just said something to me. I had to see if could buy it.”
The car’s original owner designed it in honor of his son who died in the terrorist attacks that changed our country forever. Yglesias tells News 25 there was no question in his mind; he wanted this car, symbolic of heroism and strength, to line the warning track at MGM Park to honor our veterans. “If it wasn’t for people like these veterans, these men and women that have worked so hard and dedicated their lives for this country, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” said Yglesias.
Honoring veterans like Vietnam War vet Edgar Booth of Ocean Springs, who not only came out today as one who served our country, but as a cruiser with his 1930 Ford Model A Coupe. “I wanted to come out and salute other veterans,” said Booth, “I’m a veteran myself and I wanted to pay my respects to all the other vets.”
Salute to our Veterans was a hit at the ball park, the first year this event has been held at this location. The salute to veterans has become a Cruisin’ the Coast tradition, a tradition that veterans truly enjoy and appreciate. “They could be doing other things during Cruisin’ the Coast,” said Booth, “But this is important, they recognize veterans and pay their respects to veterans and I appreciate that.”
Antique cars on a baseball field, American heroes and beautiful weather, not a bad way to spend a Tuesday.
There will be a downtown Biloxi block party from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, a Blessing of the Classics in Diamondhead from 3 to 6, and more autocross racing and an auction at the Coast Coliseum throughout the day tomorrow.
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