Local
2A • Daily Corinthian
No fatalities in crash landing Associated Press
TUPELO — The pilot of a Beechcraft Bonanza was slightly injured Saturday in a crash landing at the Tupelo Regional Airport Saturday afternoon. Sarah Robinson, communications director for the City of Tupelo, says the plane came down just short of the runway. She says the pilot was the only one aboard. Robinson says the plane had left Birmingham, Ala., headed to Tupelo. The pilot suffered some lacerations and was taken
to the North Mississippi Medical Center for treatment. Robinson said the plane appeared to land short in the Tupelo Buffalo Park, then hit the fence. It bounced in the road and landed on airport property. The name of the pilot has not been released. Airport executive director Joshua Abramson says the National Transportation Safety Board was notified and the plane was towed.
Submitted photo
First Baptist Concert Series
The annual Summer Concert Series continues tonight at First Baptist Church in Corinth. Every year on Sunday evenings during the month of July, different musical groups are featured in concert at First Baptist and concerts are free and open to the public. Corinth’s own Chad Dickerson will be featured today. His tenor voice has been a part of the FBC choir for several years. He sang professionally for a number of years in Nashville and continues to sing locally. He will sing a selection of songs and choruses. The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. The church is located at 501 Main Street. For information call 286-2208.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
PASSION CONTINUED FROM 1A
history buff and sparked a passion for bringing the stories of America’s soldiers into vivid reality that continues to drive him today. Since his first Civil War reenactment the Corinth resident and employee of Mississippi Polymers has expanded his interests and now takes part in recreations and living history demonstrations of not only the Civil War but World War II, Vietnam and the Korean War. He maintains an extensive collection of artifacts from all the conflicts including full uniforms and equipment sets for each, a fully restored World War II-era 1943 Ford Jeep and much more and is always ready to share his knowledge and experiences with school groups and anyone else who wants to learn. Experiencing the conflict through the eyes of those who lived it and bringing his own experience as close as possible to that of the actual participants is a big part of what drives him as a reenactor. “I always think, how can I put myself in that person’s place,” he said. A passion for history comes naturally to the Ripley native. His father loved the subject and they would often take family vacations to historic sites across the country. His mother was a librarian in Ripley for many years and he would constantly immerse himself in books about American history and especially it’s military experiences. He said history was a common topic in his family, which came as a surprise the first time his now-wife, DuJuanna Frazier Thompson, visited for dinner. He recalled her commenting after the meal that the dinner table conversation fo-
YOU DON’T HAVE TO
TRAVEL
Photos by Lisa Lambert
Brock Thompson uses his restored 1943 Ford Jeep to help him tell the story of the soldiers who fought in World War II. cused on some obscure topic of history instead of the usual day-to-day events. An Eagle Scout and a former member of the Mississippi National Guard, Thompson has a love for the military and the outdoors and in 1987 he got caught up in the excitement of the Shiloh anniversary and scraped and saved every penny he could to put together his first set of reenacting gear. That first experience as a Union soldier sparked a passion that continues to burn bright and he’s expanded to portraying both Union and Confederate soldiers as well as soldiers in the more recent conflicts. While the actual battles are thrilling, Thompson finds as much joy in the careful research that goes into preparing to depict history in action. Reenactors are a special breed who love delving deep into the stories of the units they portray and working to make sure everything they do is as authentic as possible. When he’s on a battlefield experiencing some of the same hardships his forefathers felt he feels closer to them and gains a unique understanding of the sacrifices they made.
Thompson feels a special responsibility as a World War II reenactor to help preserve the history of these veterans who are slowly dying off. One of the unique aspects of depicting the more modern conflicts is the opportunity to talk first hand to those who served and learn the details of what they saw, did and felt from their own mouths. He often takes his Jeep to Dogwood Plantation Assisted Living, which he and his wife own, and visits with the veterans there and he treasures the time spent with them. He said everything he does in all of his pursuits is about honoring those who sacrificed for their country to serve. “It’s all about the veterans,” he said. “We want to let the public know what these guys went through.” He speaks regularly to schools and other groups and also participates in events at Shiloh including the annual living history demonstrations on Memorial Day where he has portrayed both Korean War-era and Vietnam-era soldiers. Thompson recently joined several other local reenactors to travel to Get-
tysburg where they participated in the 150th anniversary reenactment of the battle. The scale of the reenactment was unlike anything he had ever seen with more than 15,000 reenactors taking part. “It looked just like a real battle. It was just like we were there,” he said. Enormous grandstands borrowed from the PGA tour provided seating for a crowd of spectators estimated at more than 235,000 who gathered to see the battle come to life. On the way to Gettysburg the group stopped to visit several key Civil War sites including Appomattox Courthouse where Lee formally surrendered and the Antietam battlefield, which was the site of the single bloodiest day in the history of the war. Thompson said he continues to learn more each day about the history he loves and he welcomes any opportunity to share his knowledge. He’s always available to speak to school groups or join in any living history demonstration where he can share the stories and help new generations understand the enormous sacrifices of those who went before them.
year, they will even the series at 6-6. The firemen had a strong run, winning
four straight from 2007 to 2010, but CPD has taken the last two years. “We hate that PD has had it the last two years, and we plan on calling in everyone we know to help take it back,” said Fire Chief “Lucky” Briggs. “We’re gonna try to make another good run.” But the police department is aiming for another victory. “This is for a great cause and I hope the community supports both sides,” said Police Chief David Lancaster. “But we plan to continue our winning streak.” Briggs hopes the community answers the call. “It’s well worth the giving,” he said. “It’s a worthy cause that doesn’t cost you but a little time, no matter which side you give for.” The drive is for United Blood Services, the primary blood supplier for Magnolia Regional Health Center and other hospitals in northeast Mississippi. The need is great during the summer months, said Toni Gough of UBS. Food and beverages will be provided by local businesses, and donors will have a chance to win a $100 Walmart gift card and a used vehicle from Barnes Crossing Hyundai/Mazda. Donors need to be 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. The health history questions can be completed in advance but on the same day at unitedbloodservices.org. To donate, visit bloodhero.com, sponsor code badgebattle, or call 8428871.
BADGES
TO EARN YOUR
CONTINUED FROM 1A
DEGREE.
take the trophy again this
FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT
SPECIAL Grilled Pork Tenderloin served over whipped potatoes topped w/ molasses gravy or citrus glaze with fresh grilled green beans.
1000 S. Harper Rd. • Corinth • 662-286-5800
Your Bachelor’s Degree Is Closer Than You Think! Earn your bachelor’s degree without traveling long distances. Faulkner University offers the bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with classes held in Corinth, making it easier for you to improve your employment prospects and reach your career goals. •
Completion in three semesters; two years of previous college work required
•
Ethics and values taught from a Christian perspective
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Classes taught at Alcorn Vocational Technical Center in Corinth
256.830.2626 | faulkner.edu
Shady Grove Baptist Mission is proud to welcome Brother Jimmy Lancaster as our new Pastor.
He is a man of God who was sent to us to lead and help us grow in our walk with the Lord. Brother Jimmy & Ms Pat are formerly from this area. He was called to preach in 1979, Pastored 5 years in Huntsville Alabama, called to Pensacola Florida where he pastored 26 1/2 years. We are truly blessed to have them back in Corinth and serving God with us.