Starkville Honors Local Veterans with Community Event and Free Books

Starkville Celebrates Local Veterans with a Special Community Event

Starkville is gearing up for a heartwarming evening filled with stories, memories, and appreciation as the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District’s Reading 2 Succeed program prepares to host a Community Veterans Event at Partnership Middle School. This event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for families and community members to honor those who have served our country!

Free Books and Heartfelt Stories

One of the highlights of the evening will be the chance for children and families to engage with local veterans from Starkville and Oktibbeha County. Attendees can listen to their stories of military service, gaining insights into the extraordinary journeys that these men and women have experienced. In a special nod to female service members, Mayor Lynn Spruill, a distinguished veteran of the United States Air Force, will also be present to share her inspiring story of being the first woman to pass the pilot’s carrier test.

The event will also serve as a touching tribute to the late Chris Taylor, spotlighting his service through a display of memorabilia. Family members of Taylor will be there to talk about his contributions and service to both the country and the local community, ensuring that his legacy is honored in a meaningful way.

A Treasure Trove of Books

Attendees can look forward to browsing through various stations filled with free books suitable for all ages—from preschoolers to adults. Each book has been carefully selected by the Reading 2 Succeed program and covers a range of topics related to the military and veteran experiences. This initiative aligns with the program’s mission to foster a love for reading and provide valuable resources for families.

A key member of the Reading 2 Succeed team who organized the event expressed enthusiasm for its mission: “The mission of Reading 2 Succeed is to promote literacy and put books into homes throughout Oktibbeha County. With all of our events, we hope the activities and seeing the books will spark an interest to learn more. For this event, we are giving away books focused on famous veterans, pioneers in their field, veterans who were athletes, and veterans who are parents.”

Honoring Our Heroes

This event takes place just a day after Veterans Day, making it even more significant. The staff at SOCSD hopes that this gathering will provide families and community members a chance to connect with local veterans they may not even realize have served in the military. “Veterans rarely brag on themselves or their service for our country,” said one organizer. “I want to make sure we show appreciation to them and educate our community on the work of veterans. I hope the event will foster conversations between veterans and our community members.”

A Commitment to Literacy and Community

Reading 2 Succeed is one of over a dozen grant-based programs operating at the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District’s Discovery Center. This center is a hub for services focused on adult education, workshops, and community-building initiatives designed to strengthen the ties between home, school, and the wider community. Since its inception, Reading 2 Succeed has dedicated itself to enhancing literacy skills for children from birth through 12th grade.