Madison Parish came together Thursday to celebrate Veterans Day with a parade, program and luncheon in honor of the men and women who have served their country in the United States military.
Thursday's festivities were a joint effort between the City of Tallulah, the Madison Parish Police Jury, the Village of Richmond, Village of Delta and Village of Mound, as well as the Madison Parish Rotary Club. The celebration of Madison Parish veterans began with a parade and continued with a Veterans Day program at the Tallulah-Madison Community Center, where a luncheon was also held for veterans and their families.
Complete with music, a slideshow honoring local veterans and a special presentation made to Madison Parish's five living veterans of World War II, Thursday's program also featured guest speakers Captain Dan Fordice and Sergeant Mickle Elliot.
Elliot served in the Vietnam War in the 1st Armored Division, 5th Bn., 6th Inf. and was awarded the Bronze Star after taking charge of his company after his commander was seriously injured during a firefight.
Fordice was commissioned as a 2nd LT and went on active duty with the U.S. Army. He served both active duty Army and in the Mississippi Army National Guard for a total of 13 years. He spent approximately half of his military career as an engineer and half serving in Special Forces. Fordice currently serves as the founder and chairman of the Southern Heritage Air Foundation and the Warriors Bonfire Projects, both non-profit organizations that work closely with and for veterans.
For the complete story on Thursday's Veterans Day celebration, as well as more photos from the events, pick up a copy of the Thurs., Nov. 18, edition of the Madison Journal.
