Mississippi Salute Podcast

Richard Wilson is a native of Collierville, Tennessee, but now resides in our Mississippi Veterans Home in Oxford.

Wilson served in the Navy during World War II and fought at Iwo Jima, witnessing one of the most iconic images in history.

In this episode, Wilson discusses his journey as a small-town kid who leaves his home for the first time to join the military and the many places he's seen because of that singular moment.

Michael Watson is in his second term as Mississippi’s 36th Secretary of State.

Before taking office as Secretary of State, Watson served three terms in the State Senate, representing District 51 in Jackson County.

A graduate of Pascagoula High School and the University of Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a law degree, Watson began his work in public service as an intern for then-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott in the summer of 1999. That experience strengthened his desire to become a public servant and improve the quality of life for all Mississippians.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Stephen C. McCraney was appointed as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency by Governor Tate Reeves on January 28, 2021. Before assuming the role of Executive Director, Mr. McCraney served as the agency’s Deputy Director and Chief of Staff since February 2016. During his tenure, he has led 18 federally declared disasters, eight emergency measures declarations, and numerous state emergencies—those disasters ranging from Hurricane Ida, the Jackson Water Crisis, and the March 24th tornadoes.

Mr. McCraney has extensive experience responding to natural and man-made disasters in Mississippi. While serving 28 years as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, McCraney responded to Hurricane Katrina, the Smithville Tornado, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and the Mississippi River Flooding of 2011.

Mr. McCraney is a former Commander of the 47th Civil Support Team (WMD), Community Corrections Associate Director-Probation and Parole (MDOC), and a certified police officer who has worked in higher education, city, and state-level law enforcement positions. He brings to his position as an executive director over 38 years of experience in the Criminal Justice System, Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, first responder and disaster response. He received his Bachelor’s and Master of Social Science in Administration of Justice from Mississippi College.

Mississippi Salute Podcast - Season Two Premiere AlertOur first episode of the season features James "Max" Fenn, Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board Chairman.

Fenn is a United States Army and Marine Corps veteran and has experienced combat in several military and political conflicts. After his military service, Fenn has since served our state in various government and intelligence roles.

Major General (Retired) Jeff Hammond received his commission as a United States Army Officer upon graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1978, where he served as team captain of the football team and starred as a quarterback.His military leadership roles include serving as commanding general of the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division and commander of U.S. Forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom.Gen. Hammond currently serves as his alma mater's Director of Military Affairs. His passion is serving active-duty military service members, Veterans and their families who seek a quality education.Gen. Hammond earned a BS and M.Ed from USM and a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies via the US Navy War College (while serving on Active Duty).

World War Two Marine Veteran Tony Provenza shares his journey from Greenville, Mississippi, to his World War Two Service in South China and Japan.