Several Baptist entities joined organizations and individuals nationwide in celebrating the bravery and dedication of military veterans on Monday.
Veterans Day celebration at Baptist Desoto. © Karen Pulfer Focht
Baptist Carroll County and Baptist DeSoto hosted special events to commemorate Veterans Day. Baptist Carroll County held its first Veterans Day Reception, where community members sang the National Anthem, witnessed the presentation of the Veteran Heart award and enjoyed food and fellowship.
Baptist DeSoto’s 14th annual Veterans Day celebration included a presentation of the colors and remarks from U.S. Representative Trent Kelly’s field representative. Members of each branch of the armed services stood as their anthem played, and students from area schools sang the National Anthem and another musical selection.
Every year, as part of its Veterans Day celebrations, Baptist DeSoto asks its community to donate “Shoeboxes for Soldiers,” boxes filled with toiletries and snacks for Mississippi troops deployed overseas. The hospital collected 4,300 shoeboxes during this year’s drive; many came from local elementary schools. Baptist DeSoto awarded physical education grants to the three schools that donated the most shoeboxes.
Baptist Tipton placed American flags on its campus and, in a Facebook post, listed team members and loved ones of team members who have served in the military. A number of other Baptist hospitals posted special Facebook messages, as well.
