Southaven Honors Veterans at Annual Luncheon

Col. (Ret.) John P. Sullivan Jr. of the U.S. Marine Corps delivered the keynote at the city's Veterans Day event.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Military

Still flagpole and brick civic building on a sunlit lawn beneath bare oak trees, with a quiet autumn sky overhead. — Southaven Mayor Musselwhite and the Board of Alderman hosted the city's Veterans Day luncheon, where retired Marine Col. John P. Sullivan Jr. delivered the keynote. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Mayor Musselwhite and the Board of Alderman hosted the City of Southaven Veterans Day luncheon, honoring men and women who have served in the U.S. military. The keynote address was delivered by Col. (Ret.) John P. Sullivan Jr. of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Why it matters

The annual luncheon gives Southaven residents a formal occasion to recognize local military service and the contributions veterans make after leaving active duty. Sullivan's remarks on family sacrifice during deployments highlight the costs of service that extend beyond the individual veteran.

Col. (Ret.) John P. Sullivan Jr. spoke about 30 years of military service during the luncheon. The source does not report attendance or the number of veterans recognized at the event.

The players

Col. (Ret.) John P. Sullivan Jr.

A retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel who delivered the keynote address, drawing on 30 years of military service.

Mayor Musselwhite

The mayor of Southaven, who hosted the city's Veterans Day luncheon alongside the Board of Alderman.

The details

Sullivan spoke about his life experiences during his military career and the sacrifices his family made during his deployments. His keynote emphasized commitment to defending freedom, lifelong service to others, courage, and integrity. Landers Auto Group and Civil-Link, LLC sponsored the event.

The luncheon is held annually as part of Southaven's Veterans Day observance.

Legacy Recognition

The luncheon continues Southaven's recurring annual Veterans Day tradition, extending a yearly civic practice of honoring local service members.

Residents who want to attend future city events honoring veterans can follow Southaven civic announcements for scheduling. The luncheon is hosted by the city, so public notices are the practical channel for access.

The takeaway

Recognizing veterans at the local level keeps the costs and sacrifices of military service visible within the community. Sullivan's remarks show that family members also bear part of that service.