It was a beautiful morning for the Memorial Day program held Monday at the Jefferson Davis County Courthouse. The welcome was given by Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas. “We not only remember the names written on our monument, but those on tombstones around our country in military graveyards and those countless number of unmarked graves that have sacrificed and served our country,” said Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem were then led by Sgt. Joe Bridges.

Chellie Payne introduced guest speaker, Col. Keshia Deauber.

Deauber is a graduate of Prentiss High School and joined the military in 1999. After retirement, she and her family returned home to Prentiss.

Deauber spoke to the crowd from a biblical standpoint. “I give the almighty thanks for everything,” said Deauber.

She spoke of four lessons that can be learned from the bible regarding loss.

It is ok to mourn and feel sorrow, Jesus understands our pain and is with us in the midst of our grief, you do not need to grieve alone and death, sorrow and pain are not the end of the story for those who love the Messiah.

“There can be great comfort found in a loving community that is willing to listen and share your experience in grief.”

Walt Moeller followed with the reading of the names of the soldiers from Jefferson Davis County killed in action as flags placed at the monument.

Those killed in action in WWI were: Pvt. Howard E. Rush, Pvt. Virgil E. McNease, Pfc Henry T. Bullock. Lt. W.R. “Bill” McNeese, Usn Clyde C. Thompson, Pfc Willard H. Holloway, Sgt. Gordon L. Tyrone, Pvt. Louis E. Livingston, Cpl. Bill Slater, Sgt. Garland Broome, Pvt. William E. Burkett, Ssg. Victor E. Bullock, Cpl. Irving J. MacIntosh and Pvt. Billy Magee were all killed in WWII.

Killed in the Korean Conflict were: Pfc. Charles P. Burns, Msg. John Roland McInnis, Pvt. Winfred Dillon and Ssg. Robert D. Hall. Pfc. Paul V. Harrington, Lcpl. Billie A. Allen, Pfc. James E. Weathersby, Pfc. Daniel Reese Jr., Sgt. Alexander A. Peoples and Cwo. James A. Morris Jr. were killed in Vietnam.

Prisoners of war from WWII were Pvt. Samuel L. Raynes, Pvt. Earl Roberts, Ssg. Ralph Brinson, Sgt. George W. Thurman, Cpt. Morgan A. Whitfield, Sgt. Claude L. Burkett and Pfc. Willie J. Thompson. Cpl. Nathaniel Booth was a prisoner of war during the Korean Conflict.

Killed in the line of duty in WWII were Lt. R.C. Jones Jr., Sgt. Edwin McNeil, Cpl. M.L. Applewhite, Msg. James Bryan Sutton, Ssg. Sam Hathorn, Pfc. Joe E. Norton and Lt. Joe Robert Mallard.

Sp4 Marvin L. Hall was killed in the line of duty during the Vietnam War.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, a wreath was placed at the monument followed by the playing of Taps and closing prayer was given by Rev. Jessie Holloway.