OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WXXV) - Vietnam War veterans were given long-overdue recognition during a special Memorial Day ceremony Monday at the Ocean Springs Veterans Memorial Park.
Hosted at the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the event included the presentation of official Vietnam War Veteran Lapel Pins to those who served between 1955 and 1975. The tribute also featured patriotic music from the St. John's Pipe and Drum Band and drew community members, veterans, and families to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"58,000 of US soldier been killed in Vietnam... they brought us the freedom. Not just me -- a million of people," said Hue Rotelle, who was evacuated from South Vietnam by helicopter in 1975. "So we have to remember them."
The names of 668 Mississippians killed in Vietnam are engraved on the black granite walls of the memorial, along with dozens of their photographs. Don Northcutt, president of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans Memorial Park, said work is ongoing to fill in the remaining missing images.
"We're still missing about 88 photographs," Northcutt said. "Some of the existing ones are too poor in quality to reproduce on marble. But we've recovered 14 more, and hope to have them added in the coming year."
Northcutt encourages the public to donate or purchase memorial bricks to help fund the effort. Details are available on the memorial's official Facebook page.
For veterans like Willie G. Hurd, who served with the 25th Infantry Division, the ceremony and the memorial are personal.
"When I first started coming down here 25 years ago, they had one side. Now they've got both sides," Hurd said. "I might not remember the name, but I might remember the face."
Hurd says he came to remember the fallen and hopes younger generations never forget the sacrifices made.
"All I can say, let good Lord take care of all the other veterans still alive and take care of myself and my family. I thank you."
The Ocean Springs Veterans Memorial continues to grow each year -- not just in size, but in the stories it preserves.
To support the memorial or submit a veteran's photo, visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans Memorial Park on Facebook.