news
Kelly, a lieutenant colonel in the Mississippi National Guard, completed two deployments to Iraq, one in 2005 and the other in 2009.
The program begins at 9 a.m. at the recently completed pavilion inside Veterans Memorial Park.
In addition to Kelly’s keynote address, the event also will include a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, a poem reading and the playing of Taps.
Former City Councilman and Marine veteran Dick Hill will emcee the ceremony, which typically draws about 200 people.
The program will last about 20-30 minutes, said Don Lewis, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Half-marathon
Also that morning, hundreds of runners participating in the Shakerag Half-Marathon will wind through Veterans Park. Lewis said the park’s Elvis Presley Drive entrance will be blocked for the race and that traffic could be congested.
emily.lecoz@journlianc.com