Veterans honored at L.I.F.E. event - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Veterans honored at L.I.F.E. event

Marine 1st Sergeant Noland Smith is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield.

"I was with Task Force Ripper, 7th Regiment," he says. "I was the motor transport officer. We went into combat, we were one of the first groups to breach the breachers. We went into Kuwait City. It was very scary. Sometimes you have to put your personal feelings on hold, realize you have to do a job, the job you're doing is for your country."

Smith is an Americorps volunteer, and he's attending a special event for veterans outside L.I.F.E., or "Living Independent for Everyone". The organization helps disabled people progress independently.

Evelyn White also came along. She served in World War II, stateside.

"I do. I honor them," she says of the veterans she's meeting at the event.

"That was exciting. To hear her say that," Lionel Collins says, of meeting a World War ll vet. Collins is a volunteer with Americorps Project Linc, which is taking part in the celebration.

"We give back. That's the title of an Americorps member, to get out and get things done," Collins tells us.

"We have veterans from the state veterans home here in Jackson, we have consumers with disabilities coming out today, receiving literature and services about disability support services throughout Mississippi," says Project Linc Americorps Coordinator Margie Moore.

Organizers say turnout has been good, and they've been able to help some of the veterans as well. 

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