War veterans and active military membersaround the community will be honored on Friday at Railroad Park forservice to their country as Brookhaven and the nation observesVeterans Day.

    Event planners met Wednesday at the Chamber of Commerce to discussand finalize plans for the celebration. They established the musicentertainment while leaving the guest speaker undetermined.

    “One of two military generals will be the speaker, but due toconflicts in their schedules, we’re not sure which one it will be,”said Chamber Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield.

    Tim Lea, director of Veterans Services at Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege, furnished a CD of patriotic music to play as thecelebration goes on. He also discussed his intention to provide aseparate mixed CD with five military anthems for a specialrecognition portion of the celebration.

    Lea explained excerpts from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Forceand Coast Guard anthems are played back-to-back on the CD. Whenmilitary members and veterans hear their respective anthems, theystand to be recognized by the crowd.

    “It works really well played one after the other, playing all thesongs,” Lea said.

    Lea and Brumfield discussed speaker and microphone logistics withTommy Sproles at the meeting. Sproles will be in charge of thesound at the celebration.

    Brumfield also said the Ole Brook Singers, under the direction ofJens Oliva, from Brookhaven High School, will perform at thecelebration.

    Other than the scheduled speaker, choir performance and specialrecognition during the anthems to honor veterans, Brumfield saidthe event is for people to meet veterans and active-duty members ofthe community.

    “It’s going to be a social event and a fellowship opportunity,”Brumfield said. “I’m getting strong responses from younger familieswho have members currently in service, too. It’ll be a greatopportunity for people to realize just how big of a footprint themilitary has in our community.”

    The celebration begins at 11 a.m. in Railroad Park and will wrap uparound 1 p.m., Brumfield said.

    People are encouraged to bring their own lunches to enjoy in thepark along with the music, guest speaker and military vehicles andequipment provided by the local National Guard in observance ofVeterans Day.