Salute to the Military event Oct. 20

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian Lamar
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Every October, hundreds of residents from the Mississippi Gulf Coast take an evening to honor the military members serving in their community during the Salute to the Military Gala.

This year, the gala will take place at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention Center Oct. 20.

"Thirty-seven years ago, residents of the Gulf Coast decided to recognize the military contribution to the local area from Pascagoula to Stennis. We wanted to recognize the individual commands and the service members who support the Mississippi Gulf Coast," said Doug Maxwell, a retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, who is involved with planning the annual gala.

The event begins with period actors and displays for participants to observe during a cocktail hour at 6 p.m.

After the cocktail hour, a program designed solely to bring credit upon the Gulf Coast military members will begin, said Maxwell.

"It is an absolutely amazing event," said Col. Frank Amodeo, 403rd Wing commander who has attended the event for the last two years. "The fact that we in the military are the ones being saluted for our past and present accomplishments is an honor. I am looking forward to attending the event this year."

Amodeo said he believes the event signifies the relationship and attitude the South Mississippi leadership and business community has with their military neighbors.
"The support from the community in this area is better than any other place I have ever served," said Amodeo. "We in the military uniform are a living representation of the military past and future, and I consider it an honor and personal responsibility to attend."

Each year, businesses sponsor tables to provide service members an affordable option of attending. Service members interested in receiving a sponsored ticket should contact the 403rd Wing Public Affairs office at 228-377-2056.