Gallery: Hattiesburg's Veterans of the Year

Retired SSG. Charles Brown served with the U.S. Army airborne infantry battalion in Vietnam where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for action under fire and two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained during battle.

Brown downplayed his military contributions at the time of his veteran's award ceremony, stating, "My story is probably very small in comparison to some of the other stories and situations that African-Americans experiened during the Vietnam War."

(Hattiesburg American, 11/11/1994)

Art Albert- U.S. Navy, World War II, Korea and Vietnam

Harrison Ford- U.S. Army

Herman Johnson- U.S. Marine machine gunner, World War II

J. K. McMahan- U.S. Army pilot, World War II

(Hattiesburg American: 9/2/1995, 11/12/1995)

Retired Army SGM. Stanley D. Black's career took him to several locations in the states as well as to Germany, Korea and Vietnam. Most of his military career was devoted to supply and maintenance-type areas.

At the time of his award, Black was actively involved in planning local annual Veterans Day events. Of Veterans Day, Black said, "We're celebrating all veterans, not just the ones who gave their lives but the ones who came home crippled, the ones who came home mentally disturbed (as well as) the ones who came home with no problems."

(Hattiesburg American, 11/11/1996)

Retired Air Force CMSgt. Johnnie C. Williams served in various settings that included Korea and Vietnam. He was president of the PBMERA and a charter member of the HVC at the time of his Hattiesburg award.

As Veteran of the Year, Williams stated, "It was quite a surprise, but a good one. It was a great honor to accept this award on behalf of veterans who served in all wars and in all branches of the service."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/1997)

Dee Abbott joined the U.S. Navy as a WAVE during World War II and advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. She retired after 33 years of active and reserve duty and returned to Hattiesburg where she taught business courses at Hattiesburg High School.

Abbott remained active in many organizations after leaving the Navy; those groups related to the military and veterans included The American Legion & Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Fleet Reserve Assn., WAVES National, and the W. Jack Cleere Memorial Chapter, American Ex-Prisoners of War where she served as Adjutant for more than 20 years.

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/1998  HAHS archives)

A native of Missouri, Robert Ledford was drafted into the Army during World War II. His assignments included the 86th Infantry Division in North Africa, the 9th Infantry Division in Tunisia, the 3rd Infantry Division in Italy and the 30th Infantry Regiment in France. He earned the Purple Heart when he was wounded twice at the Anzio beachhead.

Ledford worked as a volunteer for veterans organizations at the time of his Hattiesburg award. He was also Service Officer for local VFW Post 3036.

(Hattiesburg American, 11/11/1999)

Ken Smith was a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. He enlisted as a private, serving two tours in Vietnam with the 7th Air Cavalry Squadron. After Vietnam, he continued his military career, attaining the rank of Colonel prior to his 1991 retirement.

In retirement, Smith was a member of the local Veterans Committee and was involved in the speaker's bureau sponsored by VFW Post 3036.

(The Times, 11/16/2000)

Retired Army LTC Clarence R. Williams was a Hattiesburg native. Williams served in World War II, the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War. His honors include a Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, a Legion of Merit & Combat Infantry Badge.

Responding to the presentation of his Veteran of the Year Award, Williams said, "I'm thrilled and honored. I'm extremely grateful to everyone who was involved in this selection process. May God bless America."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2001)

U.S. Army veterans Donald Evans of Petal and Thomas White of Oak Grove were recognized for their efforts that began in 1964 to collect memorabilia that led to the construction of the $4.5 million Armed Service Museum that opened at Camp Shelby in 2001.

Accepting the veteran's award for both men, Evans said, "I know that my buddy (White) is looking down on us now. This award, as I see it, goes to all veterans who served our country."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2002)

Jeanette Hall spent just 14 months in the military, but her love of America and its heritage was legendary in Hattiesburg. She joined the Women's Army Corps in 1944. After boot camp and dental tech. school, she was assigned to Texas, first to McClosky Hospital in Temple, then to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.

She and her husband, Jack, eventually moved to Hattiesburg in 1956. She assumed leadership roles over the years with the Allen B. Carter Post of the American Legion and the VFW. She was a volunteer at the Armed Forces Museum and helped organize military rites for veterans' funerals.

(Hattiesburg American: 11/11/2003)

George Williams' 20-year career in the Air Force began in supply, but he cross-trained in jet engine mechanics. His assignments took him across the United States and to France, Germany, Guam and Japan. MSG Williams retired in 1968 while stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Williams returned to Hattiesburg and started the Senior Fellowship Program at Truelight Baptist Church. His lifetime accomplishments earned him the 2004 Veteran of the Year Award, of which he said, "It's a very humbling experience.... It's really an honor that your peers thought enough of you."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/10/2004)

Ted Tibbett was 23 years of age, out of college and married with a 6-month-old when he was drafted in 1968. Following his basic training in the Army, he spent 13 months in South Korea handling classified documents.

As a civilian, Tibbett was a general manager of WMXI radio and served as a commander of American Legion Post 24. A longtime volunteer with the March of Dimes, he also served as chairman of the ADP's military affairs committee and as senior vice commander of VFW Post 3036.

(Hattiesburg American 11/8/2005)

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Raylawni Branch received numerous decorations during her 25 years of service as a flight nurse. As a civilian, she was active in local organizations that included the Red Cross and United Way.

At the 2006 awards ceremony, Branch encouraged everyone present to use their leadership skills to mentor young people; "Listen to and praise your children. Without all those who touched my life, I would not be here today."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2006)

Retired Army LTC Frederick Varnado was the recipient of Hattiesburg's Veteran of the Year award in 2007. He served in the military from 1975 to 1995 as an intelligence officer.

After completing his military service, Varnado served as commander of the Hattiesburg chapter of DAV. He was also the director of Professional Development and Educational Outreach at The University of Southern Mississippi.

In Varnado's words, "We all have a calling in our lives to serve others. If it hadn't been for my family and the folks at Alcorn University... I wouldn't be here today."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/13/2007  Pine Belt News: 9/16/2023)

Retired Sgt. Robert Earl "Bo" Tims served in the Air Force in Vietnam. He was a chaplain and member of VFW Post 3036 who worked with area veterans groups at the time of his local award.

Of his award, Tims said, "This is the greatest honor I have ever received."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2008)

Petal, Mississippi native and retired SFC T. J. Gordon's military career spanned the years from 1966 to 1991, including a tour in Vietnam in 1966.

Given the difficulties he had obtaining VA benefits for himself when he retired, Gordon made it his mission to guide other veterans through the complex system of regulations for filing their claims.

Gordon said, "The military gave me a very good outlook on life and was a way for me to help people. (My aunt) always told me it's better to help others than to just do for yourself."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2009  Pine Belt News: 9/16/2023)

The 2010 Veteran of the Year Award was presented to state Senator Thomas E. King, Jr. The Petal, Mississippi native served as a four-year Air Force security policeman.

King said, "It's a special honor to accept this for my fellow brother veterans." He added, "We will continue to fight the fight for our veterans in the Senate and the Legislature, in the Capitol and Washington, D.C."

(Hattiesburg American, 11/12/2010)

Retired Air Force Col. George R. Hall was a Vietnam War veteran who endured one of the longest captivities as a prisoner of war in American history. The Hattiesburg native spent 7 1/2 years as a prisoner after his plane was shot down during a reconnaissance mission.

Hall was instrumental in raising much of the funding used to build Hattiesburg's Veterans Memorial Park. Ted Tibbett, chairman of the HVC, said, "When he (Hall) went to ask somebody for a donation, they couldn't say no because he was such a wonderful American."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2011, 2/18/2014)

Retired Col. Sheila Varnado began her U.S. Army career in 1976 and retired in 2004. Her last posting was at the U.S. Coalition Land Forces headquarters in Kuwait.

In accepting her Hattiesburg Award, Varnado said military service instills values in one that don't easily change; "Even when we take the uniform off, we can't take it off. It's part of us... it's been placed in our hearts and minds that we are always to serve."

(Hattiesburg American: 9/10/2008, 11/13/2012)

Members of VFW Post 3036's Honor Guard were named "Veterans of the Year" in 2013.

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2013)

Henry Bethley was honored not just for his service in Vietnam, but for his accomplishments when he returned to Hattiesburg in 1968.

He organized his former Boy Scout Troop 411, serving as scoutmaster from 1969-75. He was also one of the founders of The First Tee of the Pine Belt, a program that taught youth life skills and character building through golf.

At the award ceremony, Bethley said, "I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this award. I am surely grateful to the African (American) Military Museum for recommending me, and I also thank the Hattiesburg (Area) Veterans Committee for selecting me."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2014)

Marion Walley was a CSM upon his honorable discharge from the Army after 30 years of service. Among his many volunteer activities as a civilian, Walley served as president of the AFTEA Pine Belt Chapter 2, Hattiesburg.

At the award ceremony, Walley said "I didn't prepare a speech or anything, and I don't know if I deserve this. This award is a blessing I will cherish with all my heart."

(Hattiesburg American: 9/23/2012, 11/12/2015)

George Harrington was a retired Air Force Chief MSG. In addition to his civilian work supporting veterans through the Hattiesburg Veterans Committee, he served as Hattiesburg's fire chief for some ten years.

Upon accepting the Hattiesburg award, Harrington said, "Our community has been blessed with service members who are willing to step up to the plate and get engaged actively in providing service, support and recognition to those so willing to serve. It is my honor to accept this on behalf of those individuals."

(Hattiesburg American: 11/12/2016  WDAM Newscast: 11/24/2021)

The 2017 Veteran of the Year was Patricia Thompson. Thompson served in the Army for 24 years. She was well-known for her exceptional service to fellow veterans and the community as Director of Veterans Activities at Petal's Senior and Veterans Center.

She said, "It is amazing, and it's still surreal to me. So I'm like pinching myself. I just want to thank everybody that voted for me, (that) have confidence in my motivation to keep me going."

(Pine Belt News: 8/17/2017; WHLT Newscast, 2017)

Retired CSM Gary Iverson served 38 years in the Army National Guard and was a Bronze Star recipient. His long list of accomplishments reflected his life of service to his community and fellow veterans.

Iverson was a charter member and on the board of directors of the WMM. He was a founding member of the AFTEA Magnolia Chapter and a founder and charter member of VFW Post 3036's motorcycle riders group.

Iverson used the Hattiesburg Award ceremony as an opportunity to share his thoughts on contemporary approaches that are needed to take care of the health and welfare of a new generation of young troops.

(Hattiesburg American: 11/16/2018)

Retired LCpl Bill Ray served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1955 to 1959. Ray saw assignments in various parts of the world including Beirut, Lebanon and the Caribbean. He was honorably discharged after serving with the 2nd Marine Air Wing located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Ray has been a Hattiesburg resident since 1977. His accomplishments include serving as chair of the HCC, serving as president of the MHA and serving as regent for the MAACHE. He was also affiliated with the ADP and various financial support projects for William Carey University.

(Signature Magazine: 11/2019)

Retired U.S. Air Force SMSgt Vernon Dahmer, Jr. saw military service from 1951-1971 in the telecommunications center operations field. Retiring after completing various assignments which included the Korean and Vietnam wars, he went on to work as a civilian to establish a telecommunications center for the Marine Corps Finance Center in Kansas, Missouri.

Dahmer returned to his childhood Hattiesburg home in the Kelly Settlement community in 1982. He has spent much of his time giving back to the community through his work with various organizations.

At the 2020 awards ceremony, Dahmer stated, "I was raised in a family that respected this community- our community- and our country. My conduct today is honoring them and all who came before me to lay down that example for me to follow."

(Pine Belt News: 11/12/2020)

Retired Col. Joseph Kinnan saw 26 years of service in the Air Force from 1962 to 1988. During his assignment as commander of Detachment 423 at USM, he established the tradition of AFROTC cadets standing a 24-hour honor guard at Veterans Memorial Park during Veterans Day events.

The years since his retirement from the military have seen his continuous efforts to help veterans access medical, mental health, food and other services.

At the 2021 ceremony, retired Col. Sheila Varnado said, "Col. Kinnan continues to be a doer, leading from the front. Humility is his calling card; service is his passion."

(Pine Belt News: 11/11/2021)

Nelson Haskin, Jr. served in the Army National Guard from 1995 to 2001. He served in the Army Active Guard Reserve from 2008 to 2020 before retiring from the military.

Since his retirement, entrepreneurs Haskin and his wife, Felicia, have opened several businesses which have been a big part of Hattiesburg's downtown growth. He continues to support local veterans through his work with DAV Chapter #62 and as a recruitment resource for the Army National Guard.

(Hattiesburg American: 11/9/2022   City of Hattiesburg: 2022)

Retired U.S. Air Force MSG Rex Hasty was on active duty from 1979 until 1987, then served on reserve status from 1988 through 1989. He was in the Air National Guard from 1989 through 2007.

After working in Fairbanks, Alaska for a time, he and his wife relocated to Hattiesburg in 2013 to be closer to their family. In the Hub City, Hasty has committed time to various veterans organizations that include American Legion Post 61, the AFTEA, the HDAV Chapter 62 and VFW Post 3036.

At the award ceremony, Hasty said: “When we enlist, we take an oath. There’s no expiration date on that. It’s a habit, and taking care of each other is what we do.”

(Pine Belt News: 11/9/2023  City of Hattiesburg: 2023

Retired Army LTC Rickey Hosey was on active duty for 10 years. After the 9/11 attacks, he was called back to service twice, the first time to Afghanistan and later to Kuwait.

Hosey dedicated much of his civilian life to Camp Shelby's YCP program which helps teens attain their GED certificate. Additionally, he was a volunteer with VFW Post 3036, the state's Veterans Home in Collins and the VA Hospital in Biloxi.

At his award ceremony, Hosey gave special thanks to all the churches, veterans organizations and businesses that contributed to his efforts.

(Pine Belt News: 11/14/2024)

Retired MSgt Mark Jordan served in the Air Force as an aerospace control and warning systems operator for more than 20 years. Upon retiring and returning to Hattiesburg, Jordan worked with veterans, the school system through the "Adopt-A-School" program and with individuals who were homeless or incarcerated.

At the awards ceremony, Jordan said, “I just believe that as a public servant, that’s what God has put us here to do, to serve. Servant leader is what some folks have called me, and I will wear that tag proudly."

(WDAM TV: 11/8/2025)