November 14, 2025
Veterans Day at 91福利 was marked by heartfelt tributes, personal stories, and reflection at observances on the Forrest County and Poplarville campuses, where students, faculty, staff, and local residents came together to honor those who have worn the nation鈥檚 uniform.
Poplarville Campus Honors Veterans at Annual Breakfast听
The West Dining Hall was packed for the annual breakfast,听which featured Bo Worley, industrial business developer听at听PRCC, as the guest speaker.听Dr. Jeff Long, vice president for the Poplarville campus,听greeted attendees.听Sophomore Nick听Rogers听of Purvis said the blessing before breakfast was served.听听听
John 鈥淗oss鈥� Ladner, assistant to the president for special projects and a retired Air Force colonel, introduced Worley. Army veteran Bo Worley鈥檚 military career spanned 1989 to 2015 and included deployments to Afghanistan, as well as leadership roles at several bases in the United States and Germany. Worley was a professor of military science at the University of Southern Mississippi ROTC and has held positions in human resources and workforce development since retiring from the Army. He currently serves as Commander of VFW Lacey Kelly Post 3036 and is dedicated to supporting veterans and building industry partnerships for workforce training. He is married to Sheila Worley, and they have two children, Susan and Andrew.
Worley鈥檚 speech honored veterans across generations, starting with a recounting of the origins of Veterans Day with an emphasis on the sacrifices made by service members in conflicts from World War I to the present.
鈥淲hat unites all veterans is a willingness to put the nation鈥檚 needs above their own, to say, 鈥榮end me鈥� when others might step back,鈥� said Worley.
Drawing lessons from his 26-year Army career, Worley shared personal stories of mentorship, leadership challenges, and the importance of supporting future leaders in both the military and civilian workplaces. Worley encouraged attendees to mentor those who will one day take their place.
鈥淟et鈥檚 remember that freedom has never been free,鈥� said Worley. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always been safeguarded by ordinary Americans who did extraordinary things when it was their time and when they were called upon. May we honor their example with our actions every day.鈥�
Forrest County Campus Veterans Day speaker calls his service, 鈥楢 big leap鈥櫶�听
Alvin Pittman vividly recalls the pride that came in high school of putting on the military uniform for the first time as Junior Reserve Officers鈥� Training Corps (JROTC).听
鈥淭hat experience prepared me for the next step,鈥� said Pittman, who currently serves as Director of Public Safety at 91福利 and as Youth Pastor at Gateway Baptist Church in Lumberton. 鈥淚 joined the Miss. Army National Guard. That was a big leap for me.鈥�
Then came basic training in Fort Benning, Ga. 鈥淭hat was the first time I ever left the state of Mississippi. It was a life-changing experience for me. It strips you down and builds you back up to be strong, not such physically, but mentally and emotionally. It was then that I learned corps values I still use today that still shape how I am today.鈥�
Pittman told students and others attending the Veterans Day observance at the Forrest County Campus of PRCC that this day is not just a day for us, but a day for every American.
鈥淢y military journey took me from Fort Benning for basic training to Iraq, where I served during Operation Enduring Freedom (2005鈥�2006),鈥� said Pittman. 鈥淥ver the years, I served in multiple units across South Mississippi, ultimately retiring from Camp Shelby Joint Training Site in November 2024, after 22 years.鈥�
Dr. Jana Causey, Vice President for the Forrest County Campus, welcomed the crowd. She urged students in attendance to register to vote.
鈥淭hat is a great way to honor the sacrifices of those we are here to honor today,鈥� she said. 鈥淰eterans, thank you for your service. We are forever grateful for your sacrifice.鈥�
Faculty, staff and students also heard a special performance from the Hattiesburg High School choir.
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Article by Chuck Abadie and Laura O’Neill. Photography by Kaylee Fortenberry and Laura O’Neill.
