Southaven, a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, is a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 28,977. The 2010 census reflected a population of 48,982, making Southaven the fourth largest city in Mississippi. Southaven is traversed from north to south by the I-55 freeway. While its name would indicate otherwise, the city of Southaven is actually in the northernmost corner of Mississippi. The name derives from the fact that Southaven is located south of Whitehaven, Memphis.
From the Commercial Appeal: Vietnam Wall remembrance to be tall order
Come January, strategy for planning DeSoto's May salute to Vietnam War-era veterans turns to committee meetings and the details of a massive undertaking.
"Now we're ready for my war," said Steve Powell, county veterans affairs officer and a Marine combat veteran of the conflict. He said the first round of meetings should start in mid-January.
Plans call for the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, the center of the observance, to be in place at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven from May 9 to 15, with public viewing May 10-14. The V-shaped Wall is a three-fifths scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington that lists more than 58,000 Americans who fell in the conflict from 1959 to 1975. The replica is six feet tall at the center and almost 300 feet long.
To plan the 2010 salute to World War II veterans and this year's commemoration of those who served during the Korean War, a clutch of county officials including Lynchard and Powell and community volunteers sufficed.
But the Wall's requirements and the expected turnout of thousands of Vietnam veterans and family members call for a committee approach, said Vanessa Lynchard, county director of administrative services.
Among the committees that will meet:
Escort -- a team to accompany the Wall to and from the Civic Center
Set-up -- a crew to assemble the Wall
Landscaping -- people to obtain and place mulch, shrubs and flowers
24-hour watch -- at least two people at all times to provide general assistance and ensure visitors do not smoke or bring in food, drinks or pets. Additional volunteers are needed for peak visitation times of 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Name-locator -- at least two people at viewing times to help visitors find names on the Wall
Hospitality -- to provide water, coffee and light snacks for volunteers
Take-down -- at least 20 people needed for three hours to dismantle the Wall
Opening ceremony -- to plan events on May 10
Tribute -- people to plan the salute to veterans and the closing ceremony
Lynchard said the county is considering ongoing play of a recording of the Wall's names being recited.
"Everyone and anyone is welcome to volunteer," she said. "Our event will honor Vietnam veterans from everywhere, not just DeSoto. This is a great way for people to participate."
For more information or to volunteer for a committee, call (662) 429-1463.
"Now we're ready for my war," said Steve Powell, county veterans affairs officer and a Marine combat veteran of the conflict. He said the first round of meetings should start in mid-January.
Plans call for the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, the center of the observance, to be in place at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven from May 9 to 15, with public viewing May 10-14. The V-shaped Wall is a three-fifths scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington that lists more than 58,000 Americans who fell in the conflict from 1959 to 1975. The replica is six feet tall at the center and almost 300 feet long.
To plan the 2010 salute to World War II veterans and this year's commemoration of those who served during the Korean War, a clutch of county officials including Lynchard and Powell and community volunteers sufficed.
But the Wall's requirements and the expected turnout of thousands of Vietnam veterans and family members call for a committee approach, said Vanessa Lynchard, county director of administrative services.
Among the committees that will meet:
Escort -- a team to accompany the Wall to and from the Civic Center
Set-up -- a crew to assemble the Wall
Landscaping -- people to obtain and place mulch, shrubs and flowers
24-hour watch -- at least two people at all times to provide general assistance and ensure visitors do not smoke or bring in food, drinks or pets. Additional volunteers are needed for peak visitation times of 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Name-locator -- at least two people at viewing times to help visitors find names on the Wall
Hospitality -- to provide water, coffee and light snacks for volunteers
Take-down -- at least 20 people needed for three hours to dismantle the Wall
Opening ceremony -- to plan events on May 10
Tribute -- people to plan the salute to veterans and the closing ceremony
Lynchard said the county is considering ongoing play of a recording of the Wall's names being recited.
"Everyone and anyone is welcome to volunteer," she said. "Our event will honor Vietnam veterans from everywhere, not just DeSoto. This is a great way for people to participate."
For more information or to volunteer for a committee, call (662) 429-1463.
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