Hundreds of people participated in the 2025 Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade. Here they are crossing the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge from Vidalia as they proceed on to the Natchez National Cemetery for a ceremony to honor the fallen U.S. military service members. Photo by Albert L. Jones
Hundreds of people turned out for the annual Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, to honor fallen U.S. military men and women. Beginning in Vidalia, they marched across the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge and stopped briefly at the Natchez Visitor Center at 640 South Canal St., before proceeding to the Natchez National Cemetery.
Ben Tucker, retired Army 1st Sgt., and Jeff McClure, retired Army Lt. Col., led the parade as co-grand marshals. The parade ended at the cemetery where a ceremony honoring the fallen was held. The day’s theme was “Symbols of American Courage.”
“We had a wonderful program,” said Laura Ann Jackson, who chairs the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade Committee. “We had a good turnout in spite of the forecast calling for rain. Fortunately, the rain held off and we went on with the parade and the ceremony.”
Jackson said she appreciates all of the participants, and she looks forward to seeing more of them in 2026.
Dr. Roscoe Barnes III was the guest speaker at the Miss-Lou Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 26, at the Natchez National Cemetery. Barnes is the cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez. Photo by Albert L. Jones.
Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager at Visit Natchez, served as guest speaker. He delivered a message titled, “The Reason We are Here.” Barnes said the reason for the parade and the ceremony could be summed up in two words: “We care.”
“Today, we’re showing that we care,” he said. “We care because our service members – our veterans who are now deceased, stood on a wall, and they fought on a battlefield. We care because they left their homes and families to ensure our freedom. We care because of the commitment of these men and women who bravely and unselfishly served our country with dignity and honor.”
Barnes suggested the service members demonstrated a “greater love” by laying down their lives for others. He quoted Christ, saying, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Noting their service was not in vain, Barnes said “they give us hope for a better community and hope for a better country.”
Barnes said it was also important to remember the families of the service members.
“As we mourn those who are deceased and reflect on their duty and dedication in our military, let us also remember their loved ones, their families, as well as their friends,” he said. “Those who have lost family members in the military should know that their suffering is also acknowledged and it will not be forgotten.”
The parade and ceremony were organized by Jackson and the Miss-Lou Memorial Day Parade Committee.
Dr. Patricia Suduth-Scott, co-chair of the parade committee, served as master of ceremony. Vietnam veteran Doug McCallister gave the invocation, and Nolan Cubie led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In her opening remarks at the ceremony, Charlotte Taylor, assistant director of the Mississippi National Cemetery Complex at Natchez, thanked everyone for their participation in the day’s event. She welcomed them to the cemetery “to honor our fallen veterans.”
Cayman Riley provided a solo trumpet performance of “When the Saints Go Marching In” at the 2025 Miss-Lou Memorial Day ceremony at the Natchez National Cemetery. Photo by Albert L. Jones.
She was followed by retired Army Lt. Col. Larry Smith, who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As a representative of the Elnora Riley group, Cayman Riley provided a solo trumpet performance of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Hundreds of people turned out for the 2025 Miss-Lou Memorial Day parade, which was followed by a ceremony at the Natchez National Cemetery. Pictured at the ceremony from left are Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, Laura Ann Jackson, and Mayor Dan Gibson.
Mayor Dan Gibson and his wife, Marla, also attended the ceremony.
The Natchez High School AFJROTC posted and retired the colors, and Natchez National Cemetery staff assisted with the wreath presentation and the raising of the flag. Taps was played by military veteran Wilbur Johnson.
Taylor thanked the parade committee, distinguished local and state leaders, guest speaker, veterans, and cemetery staff for their participation in the ceremony.
She thanked everyone for “their commitment to honor our veterans on this Memorial Day and I look forward to your continued participation.”