For more than 30 years the Town of D’Lo has honored its veterans every Veteran’s Day with special recognition. This year’s event was held at the gazebo in the park featuring guest speaker Sergeant Major (SGM) Douglas Feazell with the Mississippi Army National Guard.
Mayor John H. Berry welcomed veterans and guests and then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. His daughter, Ashley Gates, followed with singing the National Anthem.
Bro. Joe Hanna, pastor of D’Lo United Methodist Church, gave the invocation along with an appropriate introduction of SGM Feazell as the two are neighbors in the Hawpond Community of Simpson County.
When SGM Feazell took the podium he acknowledged the two men as neighbors but more important to him they are brothers in Christ. SGM Feazell then spoke to the commitment of the veterans who have served over the years and the benefits their sacrifices have made to Americans here in the United States and across the world. In addition he shared that while his service already includes 26 years he plans to continue for several more.
SGM Feazell is proud of the freedom his uniform represents. “I am an American soldier.” The sergeant major offered his full name is Douglas MacArthur Feazell and he was indeed named for the famous general. SGM Feazell referenced MacArthur’s famous “Duty, Honor, Country” address from May 12, 1962 while making his closing remarks.
While SGM Feazell currently serves as the G3 Sergeant Major for the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Monticello, Mississippi he is also Active Guard Reserve. During his tenure he deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; has received the Bronze Star Medal and two Meritorious Service Medals along with others; is a graduate of the US Army Sergeants Major Academy; and received a Bachelor’s Degree from the Mississippi State University.
The program continued with the reading of local soldiers having served followed by a solemn rendition of Taps by Mendenhall High School Band Director Mark Hudson. Veterans and guests were invited to enjoy refreshments afterward.
