Goodwater Baptist Church held their annual Veterans Day celebration on Veterans Day this year, Monday, November 11, 2024.
Under the direction of Joe Worrell, this event has become a time honored tradition featuring a luncheon provided by the ladies of Goodwater and meats prepared by the Magee Volunteer Fire Department. Worrell opened the event thanking everyone who helped make it happen, adding that this year’s speaker is a departure from previous years in that he is an active duty member rather than retired from service.
Holly Williams introduced herself to those present as the new Veterans Service Officer for Simpson County, filling a position that has been vacant. She shared a little of her own background before letting those present know she is available to help with anything they may need as a veteran.
Worrell then introduced the speaker for the event, Master Sergeant Philip Holifield, active member of the Air National Guard 172nd in Flowood, MS. He has been with the guard there as a fulltime firefighter since January 17, 2008, after separating from active duty with the United States Air Force (USAF) January 16, 2008. He is married to Lindsey and they have two children, Addison and Ethan.
Holifield began his career with the USAF in 2002 at 19 years old. He did his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and went on to serve five tours of deployment overseas. He served two times in Iraq and Kuwait and once in Quatar all as a firefighter.
Holifield was very humble in the delivery of his remarks until he spoke about his son’s desire to follow in his footsteps and join the Air Force. His face beamed when he said, “Ethan wants to be a fighter pilot.” The smile was reciprocated by Ethan.
As in years past, the program closed with former Mayor Jimmy Clyde playing “Taps.”
