TUPELO – Cold wind snapped an army of American flags above a crowd of solemn spectators.

The people – hundreds of them – had gathered Wednesday to pay tribute to the country’s veterans and the soldiers who serve today.

They listened to prayer, to song and to ceremony at a half-hour event commemorating Veterans Day and held at the city’s new memorial inside Veterans Memorial Park.

And as they listened, the flags danced in the wind, flapping and moving and emoting with the crowd on an otherwise balmy autumn morning.

The flags provided a fitting backdrop for the city’s second annual Veterans Day ceremony, said Tupelo resident Randy Jones, who served in the Army in Vietnam.

“I’m so proud of Tupelo, the All-American City, for having something like this for the veterans,” Jones said, gesturing to the memorial ground. “We should have had it a long time ago, but I’m glad we have it now. It’s a place of honor and respect.”

Stoic in his khaki uniform, Jones admitted the ceremony was “emotionally moving.” He especially liked the songs – “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” – sung a capella by Sherrie Gregory.

Others wiped their eyes when Bob Verell played taps while still others grew emotional during the POW/MIA ceremony by John Blanchard.

Blanchard explained the meaning of a small table set for one and the empty chair next to it. It represents the soldiers captured or missing during the wars, those who never returned home.

“This ceremony is in their honor,” Blanchard said.

But the most visible reaction came from a speech by World War II veteran Jack Reed Sr., who elicited laughter and nods on several occasions.

“I was no hero,” said the Tupelo businessman and civic leader. “I was a private for 33 months, and as you know, you can pull a hell of a lot of KP in 33 months.”

KP is military slang for “kitchen patrol.”

Dressed smartly in a suit, Reed quickly turned serious in his remarks, reflecting on the ways in which he loves America. He saluted past presidents and war heroes, charities and good will, and everything that makes the country free.

“America’s wars have all been fought to either make or keep men free,” Reed said, noting the necessity of conflict in certain situations.

Seated near Reed at the head of the ceremony were his son, Tupelo Mayor Jack Reed Jr., and U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., as well as former Ward 1 City Councilman Dick Hill, a Marine veteran who also emceed the event.

Others in attendance included military veterans, past Tupelo Mayor Ed Neelly and members of the current City Council.

Contact Emily Le Coz at (662) 678-1588 or emily.lecoz@djournal.com.