Co-Lin Simpson Center hosted its first Veterans Day Breakfast November 8, 2023 with plans in place to make this an annual event. Veterans and guests were treated to breakfast cosponsored by Magee General Hospital featuring eggs, grits, sausage, biscuits, waffles, pastries, fruit, juice and coffee.
The program opened with welcome and prayers along with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the National Anthem. All veterans present were recognized for their branch and years of service before guest speaker District 77 Representative Price Wallace took the podium. “It just does my heart good, to see this. America is still the greatest country in the world. And without you veterans we wouldn’t be able to stand here and say that. I’m honored to be here,” he said. In addition he thanked Dr. Anika Floyd, Vice President of the Co-Lin Simpson Center and Dr. Tim Lea, Director of Veterans Services for the invitation.
Rep. Wallace gave a brief history of the origins of Veterans Day, that it began in 1919 as Armistice Day, a year after World War I ended. In 1938 the name was changed to Veterans Day becoming an observed national holiday. He also cited the freedoms afforded to the citizens of Mississippi and America because of the sacrifice and commitment made by veterans, especially in light of the recent statewide elections. “They have given us that freedom and we should not take it lightly. No matter how you vote, that’s your opportunity to have your voice heard.”
He concluded his comments stating that there are “two defining forces that have ever offered to die for us. One is Jesus Christ the other is the American veteran. One died for your soul; the other died for your freedom. May God bless each and every one of ya’ll and may God bless the state of Mississippi and the United States of America.”
Dr. Floyd took the podium and also offered her thanks for those present, veterans not able to attend, and the families of service men and women for their sacrifices and service as well. She went on to introduce the first ever Minuteman Service Award “to deserving individuals and/or businesses who have made a major impact on actions and policies related to the Simpson County Center.” Dr. Floyd continued, “The Minuteman Award was created to recognize the remarkable acts of dedication and service of veterans and the Simpson County Center as a whole.”
The first recipient of the Minuteman Award is Dr. Timothy C. Lea, Director of Veterans Services for Co-Lin. Dr. Lea served in the United States Air Force from 1976 to 1995 and has served faithfully as the military director of the college, according to Dr. Floyd. “He implemented the one stop shop type program that allowed him to bring a 5 star service to veterans and their families. I tell you that Co-Lin’s military services and services that we offer here is a model around the state,” she explained.
The second Minuteman Award was given to Mr. Fred Copeland who served in the United States Navy for 22 years including the Bay of Pigs, Korea and Vietnam. He and his wife Evelyn have funded scholarships for several students to further their education.
The final award went to Ross-Williamson-Grubbs VFW Post 9122 in Simpson County. The group recently donated monies to help create a veterans students green space on the campus of the Simpson Center to use for rest and respite. It is located on the south side of campus just outside the Multi Purpose room. The area was officially dedicated at the end of the morning’s event. “We are beyond proud of their support,” Dr. Floyd stated.
Dr. Floyd closed the program using Bible scriptures from Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
