As many as a thousand active duty and retired members of the military will be involved in the Gulf Coast Veterans parade in downtown Biloxi on Saturday, and one of them – retired Air Force Col. Phyllis A. Luttman – will be making history.
This year’s 13th annual veterans parade marks the first year to have a female Grand Marshal, and in another first, this year’s parade will conclude with the inaugural Red, White and Blue on the Green music festival on the Biloxi Town Green. Among the performers will be The Navy Band New Orleans and The Mississippi School for Math and Science Blue Notes.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Caillavet and Bayview, travels south on Caillavet, east on Esters Boulevard, and south on Lameuse to the Town Green. A ceremony is planned at City Hall during the parade.
The parade will include all branches of active military service along with ROTC units from around the state, high school bands, veterans organizations, as well as civic and corporate groups. Best places to view are along Lameuse Street, especially near Biloxi City Hall.
Luttman, who was a member of the Nurse Corps, served on active duty for thirty years beginning in October 1960, two years in the Air Force Reserve and retired in January 1993.
The “Red, White and Blue on The Green” festival after the parade will be a chance to see military vehicles up close, and enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks. The affair continues until 2 p.m.
This year is also the sixth consecutive year that the Department of Veterans Affairs has selected the Gulf Coast Veterans Parade as a “Regional Site” location.
See the route: To see a map of the parade route, click here.
See the poster: To see a letter-size flyer about the parade and Town Green festival, click here.
Read about the grand marshal: To read the biography of retired Air Force Col. Phyllis A. Luttman, click here.
More info: To visit the website of the Gulf Coast Veterans Parade,
click here.
Meantime, on the 11th day of the 11th month, at the 11th hour
The Biloxi Bay Chamber will re-dedicate the “Twelve Palms Memorial,” a tribute to Biloxi’s World War I casualties, during a ceremony on Monday, Veterans Day, at 11 a.m. in Businessmen’s Park.
To read more about the ceremony,
click here.
Christmas at Beauvoir kicks off this evening with gala, bonfire
Beauvoir is offering two ways for you to enjoy the opening of Christmas at Beauvoir this evening: either attend the $50-per person opening gala on the grounds, or enjoy a free bonfire on the beach south of Beauvoir.
The bonfire, sponsored by Christmas at Beauvoir organizer Andi Oustalet and coordinated by the Bonfire King, runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Those planning to attend should bring their own beach chairs.
To find out everything you need to know about Christmas at Beauvoir and this evening’s gala,
click here.
Bring an unwrapped toy or gift to the Biloxi-Gulfport game
Biloxi Public Schools invite fans attending the Friday night Biloxi-Gulfport football game to bring at least one unwrapped gift to the game.
To find out about the initiative and see what you can bring, click here.
Police preparing for ‘Feed the Needy’ program
The Biloxi Police Department is joining with area law enforcement agencies again this year for “Feed the Needy,” a program to deliver hot Thanksgiving Day meals to the homes of the less fortunate.
Meals – which can be picked up or delivered – must be requested by Friday, Nov. 22.
Those interested should contact their respective law enforcement agency:
— Biloxi Police (Ms. Ross), 385-3033
— D’Iberville Police, 396-4252
— Gulfport Fire, 868-5950
— Gulfport Police, 868-5703
— Harrison County, 896-0606
— Pass Christian Police (Ms. Sanders), 452-3302
Volunteers wanting to help package meals should report to the Lyman Community Center, 13472 U.S. 49, Gulfport, at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Volunteers wishing to deliver meals should report to the Lyman Community Center at 9 a.m.
Donations to help support the program can be mailed to Harrison County Volunteers to Feed the Needy, 10451 Larkin Smith Drive,
Gulfport, MS 39503 or call Dianne Shoemake at 228-896-0606.
Print a poster: To print a flyer about the program,
click here.
