On Thursday, November 11, at 11 a.m. Goodwater Baptist Church and the City of Magee hosted an event honoring our community’s veterans for service to their country.
Joe Worrell opened the Veterans Day program with words of welcome and thanks to the church, Magee Volunteer Fire Department, Mayor Jimmy Clyde, and all who were in attendance. Jason Webb, Pastor of Goodwater, offered prayers of thanksgiving. His hope is this becomes the first of many Veterans Day programs to be held at Goodwater Church.
Following the Presentation of Colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Armed Forces Melody featuring the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard themes, Joe Worrell introduced the two speakers for the morning, Perry Sorey, SFC/US Army/Ret and David A. Pennington, USMC.
While the veterans are certainly the focus of the day, both speakers centered a large portion of their time speaking to the service of the families left behind while loved ones served tours of duty.
Sorey, who retired in 2014 due to injuries sustained while serving, read from a letter his mother wrote him 30 years ago while he was serving. “I want you to know I love and support you,” she wrote. He also spoke fervently of his faith in Christ and his love for his country. Sorey prays daily for America’s troops, his heroes, he says.
Pennington, a Nevada resident, attended the event with his wife. He stated in support of service families, “I know without support from home I may not have been able to handle the things I was faced with, with the same flexibility.” The Penningtons travel the country in an effort to assist as many veterans as possible. He is a member of an organization called Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, which has five chapters across Mississippi including ones in Hattiesburg and Jackson. He stated, “Their emphasis is veterans helping veterans.”
He has held several positions throughout the years with programs designed specifically to assist veterans whether it is homelessness, mental health issues, substance abuse, or simply learning how to live. In his last employment Pennington some vets have been served and have become homeowners and professionals. However, “A 100 percent success rate would be irrational in my mind. We celebrate the victories and continue to work on the challenges.”
Following the guest speakers, former Mayor Jimmy Clyde played a moving tribute of Taps. A closing prayer was offered and then lunch was served.
Worrell, a veteran, has always been active in and supportive of his fellow veterans. He explained, “For me, it’s not about what it brings to the church and Magee. It’s about honoring our vets.” After attending a program last year at D’Lo, Worrell decided to provide 25’ flag poles and flags to cemeteries throughout the area. He told the crowd of near 75 that enough funds had been raised to purchase flags for D’Lo Cemetery and Goodwater Cemetery, his home church.
