Here in Coastal Mississippi, we take great pride in celebrating and honoring our heroic veterans and military personnel who have valiantly defended our freedom.
Coastal Mississippi boasts a rich military history, with significant contributions made during World War II. One fascinating piece of history that might surprise many is that the Mississippi Gulf Coast was home to German and Italian prisoners of war during that time. Following their return to their home countries after the war, a group of these former POWs decided to make Mississippi their new home and proudly become U.S. citizens.
Another significant chapter of history unfolded in Pascagoula, where Ingalls Shipyard played a pivotal role in building over 70 ships for the war effort. In 2022, Pascagoula was designated an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service. This prestigious honor not only recognizes the dedicated efforts of Ingalls Shipyard but also acknowledges the generosity of Pascagoula natives who opened their homes to those who came to aid in the defense of our nation.
The city will be celebrating this designation on Friday, November 17, at 10 AM on Singing River Island. We invite you to join the City of Pascagoula in paying homage to our coastal veterans and military service members while celebrating this remarkable achievement. The event will feature live music and special guests, including Senator Roger Wicker, Congressman Mike Ezell, and Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson.
For those interested in learning more about the military history of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, you can visit a handful of our attractions that aim to educate visitors: the Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum, the Long Beach War Memorial Park, Fort Massachusetts, and more.
After that, put on your red, white, and blue attire and join us to honor our veterans at our various Veterans Day celebrations!
