The 2019 Delta Veterans Stand Down is only a few days away, and organizers are seeking volunteers to assist at the event.
Gulf Coast Veterans Advocacy Council co-chairman Kenny Magee said while financial donations are welcomed and highly appreciated, they need food and volunteers to assist the veterans.
“We still need volunteers. If we don’t need them for one program, they can help us with something else,” Magee said.
Some of their volunteers will be used to guide any veterans who may need assistance making their way to the providers that will be on hand. Thus far, there are 42 organizations signed up to participate.
“This event gets bigger and bigger every year,” he said, noting the event will be set up as a one-stop, one-shop affair.
The event is set to take place from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Washington County Convention Center.
“We will have it set up as a one-stop, one-shop affair,” Magee said.
Veterans who do not currently have benefits will be sure to leave with more than they came in with, Magee said.
Some of the benefits veterans will be able to apply for include disability claims, housing and schooling.
“They will be able to apply for any benefit the VA offers that they qualify for,” Magee said.
Veterans interested in attending need to bring their ID and a copy of their DD214 form.
In order to serve a lunch to the veterans who come out that day, Magee said they would greatly appreciate any donations of food, including water, sodas, hamburgers, hot dogs and more.
Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Magee at 662-820-1664 or kennymagee.gcvac@gmail.com or Tabbatha Magee at 662-822-3745 or tnmagee.gcbac@gmail.com.
Veterans Day Parade
About a month after the Veterans Stand Down Event, the Veterans Day Parade will take place.
The parade is set to start at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 in downtown Greenville.
Lineup starts at 9:45 a.m. at Washington Avenue and Edison Street. People are asked to register early, with a Nov. 7 deadline.
“They can register up until the parade starts,” Magee said, noting no one will be turned away. “Anyone is encouraged to join and participate in the parade.”
This year’s parade grand marshal, Magee said, will be Theresa Joseph.
‘We chose Lieutenant Colonel Joseph because she displays exemplary leadership qualities on a daily basis. As a female officer in the military, she exceeded expectations,” Magee said.
Joseph graduated from Alcorn State University with her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and spent eight years as an Active Army Officer in the Military Police Corps. She spent another 17 years as a reserve officer and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Joseph has spent the last 17 years in leadership positions in Academia, Corporate America, and the Federal Government. During this time, she also earned her Master’s degree in education from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida.
Most recently, Joseph served as a Division Chief with the National Training Center of the Bureau of Land Management, the command Executive Officer of the 412th Theater Engineer Command, the Executive officer of the Engineer Research and Development Center- Strategic Integration Office (USACE) both in Vicksburg; and now as the Area Administrative Office Director for the SEA.
Some of Joseph’s accomplishments include: First African American and Female to Command the Johnston Atoll Military Police Company; First African American and Female to hold the position as Chief of Force Protection and Counter Drug Operations for the United States Army Pacific Command; First African American and Female To hold the Deputy Chief of Military Police and Chief of Police positions in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and Ft. Shafter Flats Hawaii; First Female to become Special Reaction Team qualified in the Military Police Corps; First African American and Female to hold the Social Development Director position at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria Oregon; First African American and Female to hold the Director of Job Corps Operations Position in Desi in Phoenix; First African American and Female to hold the Division Chief Position with the Natl Training Center of BLM; and First African American and Female to hold the Position of CEO of the 412th Theater Engineer Command.
Magee said they have been working on ways to better appreciate and involve female veterans in the area.
Looking ahead, Magee said they are making plans to host a female veterans summit.
“We’re going to invite female veterans to talk about their issues they have encountered through their military service.
For more information on how to get involved with the parade, call Magee at 662-820-1664 or Tabbatha Magee at 662-822-3745.
