Keesler participates in three Memorial Day programs Published May 19, 2015 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Team Keesler is participating in three Memorial Day ceremonies on May 25. The Gulfport Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2539 observance begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Barksdale Pavilion in Jones Park on U.S. Highway 90 in Gulfport. Special acknowledgement of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War is planned. Two Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients with ties to the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be recognized - Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger, who went through his initial technical training at Keesler, and Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Marvin Shields, the only Seabee and the first Sailor to receive the medal for action in Vietnam. Brig. Gen. Patrick Higby, 81st Training Wing commander, Chief Master Sgt. Harry Hutchinson, 81st TRW command chief, and Chief Master Sgt. Margaret Cooper, 81st Medical Support Squadron superintendent, will represent Keesler. The guest speaker is retired Lt. Col. Dean Todd, a Vietnam War pilot who formerly served as chief of the former student affairs division at Keesler. He is flight captain of the Daedalians and has been an active volunteer at Keesler Medical Center for nearly 34 years. The Biloxi National Cemetery program is at 9 a.m. at the committal shelter. The cemetery is located north of Pass Road on Veterans Avenue on the grounds of the Biloxi Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The guest speaker is Capt. Paul Odenthal, commanding officer of the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport. Maj. Gen. Mark Brown, 2nd Air Force commander, and Col Dennis Scarborough, 81st TRW vice commander, are Keesler representatives at the event. The Keesler Honor Guard will post the colors and the 81st Training Group 50 state flag team will participate. Retired Chief Master Sgt. Chris Moore will sing Amazing Grace. Higby will be the guest speaker for the Biloxi Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2434 Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at 289 Veterans Avenue. The Keesler Honor Guard will post the colors and Senior Airman Mang Lai, 81st MDSS, will sing the National Anthem.