Keesler prepares for Veterans Day Published Oct. 31, 2013 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler shines a spotlight on past and current service members next week by playing an active role in area Veterans Day observances. Tech. Sgts. Jared Whitcomb and Kyle Mullen have represented Keesler on the planning committee for the 13th annual Gulf Coast Veterans Parade, 11 a.m. Nov. 9 in Biloxi. The parade has been recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a regional site for the sixth consecutive year. Base leadership, student marching groups, honor guard, drum and bugle corps and 50-flag team are participating in the parade along with other bands, floats, marching teams and antique military vehicles. The route begins at the IP Casino Resort and travels south on Caillavet Street, east on Esters Boulevard and south on Lameuse Street to the reviewing stand in front of Biloxi City Hall. It ends at the Biloxi Town Green with the inaugural Red, White and Blue on the Green Festival with food, music and vendors. Keesler is also involved in several other local Veterans Day observances: · 7:30 a.m. Nov. 8, honor guard posts the colors at a Wounded Warrior Benefit Bass Tournament in Gautier. · 11 a.m. Nov. 8, Col. Frank Amodeo, 403rd Wing commander, speaks at the Biloxi Veterans Affairs Medical Center for a program and fish fry sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 9094. · 11 a.m. Nov. 10, honor guard marches in the Long Beach Veterans Parade. · 10 a.m. Nov. 11, honor guard 21-gun salute at Armed Forces Retirement Home Veterans Day ceremony in Gulfport. · 11 a.m. Nov. 11, honor guard 21-gun salute at the American Legion Post 119 ceremony at Veterans War Memorial Park in Gulfport next to the historic train depot. · 1:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Col. George Tombe IV, 81st Training Group commander, speaks at the Biloxi High School Veterans Day program.