East Mississippi Veterans Reunion
Hello Friends, "DukeBoys," and all Veterans of Meridian and East Mississippi!
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Time is passing by us, and this is a unique opportunity to reconnect with old friends and fellow veterans. Don't miss this event—you may not get another chance to see some of your buddies again. The East Mississippi Veterans Foundation is organizing a DukeBoy/East Mississippi Veterans Reunion, scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2026. While we are reaching out to as many people as possible, our email list is limited. Please feel free to forward this invitation to other Dukes and veterans who may not have received it.
Event Details
SUNDAY, March 29, 2026, NAS Meridian Airshow
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Where: The gathering will take place at the East Mississippi Veterans Park at 11:00 AM on Sunday, March 29, 2026. You can use Google to find directions to the park.
Schedule:
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Meet at the park location at 11:00 AM for a welcome and brief announcements.
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At 11:30 AM, luxurious coach buses will transport attendees from the park to Meridian Naval Air Station. You will be taken directly to the Admirals Tent area, which includes private seating, dining, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The private area will be tent-shaded and roped off, offering the best view of the air show.
Airshow Seating Packages and Reservations
There are several service packages available. We have successfully reduced the cost from $161 per seat to $125 per seat or less, depending on your choice. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be made as soon as possible. These packages will be available to the public in two weeks, and there will be no same-day sales. For the best experience, we highly recommend the Admirals Tent seating, which includes access to the private area, meals, drinks, and bus transportation.
Admirals Tent Seating:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Y61HNB2QKF594/checkout/VFWBO7LQLEQ63NAGE2XV5NFC?src=sheet
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For other accommodations, please visit the Facebook page for Wings Over Meridian. We encourage everyone to select the Admirals Tent option for the best experience.
After the Air Show
Following the Air Show, buses will return attendees to the East Mississippi Veterans Park. Afterwards, there will be a Social Gathering from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Moose Lodge (7405 Old Highway 80 W, Meridian, MS), located nearby. Join us for drinks, conversation, and the sharing of memorable stories.
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Monday, March 30, 2026 - Morning Gathering and Breakfast
A breakfast gathering is planned for the following morning at 9:00 AM at the Hampton Inn (103 US HWY 11 #80, Meridian, MS).
Hotel Accommodations
We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn, Meridian, MS, for the night of March 29, 2026. Special reunion rates are $95 for a double room and $100 for a king room. There are 30 rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservations can be made at: https://group.hamptoninn.com/t3f6z9
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Alternatively, contact Carmen Hollis, Sales Assistant at Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn, by phone at 601-483-3000 or online:
https://www.wingsovermeridian.com/
Support the Veterans Park
We invite everyone to consider donating to the veteran’s park that was built for you and your fellow veterans. We encourage you to purchase a Memorial Plaque honoring your service or that of a friend or family member. Order forms can be downloaded from our website: https://www.emsvf.org/general-8
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Online payment for plaques using PayPal is available on the same webpage.
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If you would like to donate to the East Mississippi Veterans Park, please visit our webpage: https://www.emsvf.org/help-us
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Your generous support will help maintain the park for generations to come. Any contribution is appreciated; we encourage you to consider donating the equivalent of one weekend drill pay to say thank you and to help preserve our heritage.
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Salute!
East Mississippi Veterans Foundation