Pike County residents will have the opportunity to meet members of the 1-155th Combined Arms Battalion of the Mississippi National Guard during a Pike County Military Support Group event Friday and Saturday at McComb Market.
The 1-155th was mobilized last year for a second deployment to Iraq. It leaves in April for training at Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg before deployment in late spring or early summer.
The two-day event at McComb Market, sponsored by the grocery store and McComb Coca-Cola, is part of a three-day fundraising effort for the support group, which is holding a $50-a-plate steak dinner at 7 tonight at the Days Inn.
The McComb Market event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, said support group chairman Bobby McDaniel.
“We’ll have military vehicles, and some of the soldiers who are being activated will be there to let the public shake their hands or pat them on the back and thank them for the job they’re doing.”
McDaniel said National Guard recruiting equipment such as a rock wall and a weapons simulator will be at the event Friday and Saturday. Jambalaya prepared by McComb Market employees will be sold Friday for $4 a plate. McComb Coca-Cola will sell Coke products for $1. Saturday’s event will feature local entertainment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Nashville recording artist Stephen Cochran performing at 2.
Cochran is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. His best friend was killed in the line of duty, and Cochran suffered a broken back during combat in Afghanistan. His friend’s death was the inspiration for the song “When a Hero Falls.”
“He does all he can do for the military,” McDaniel said, adding that after Cochran finishes a Friday night concert in Dallas, he will head for McComb for the Saturday performance.
“When we called him, he changed his travel schedule to come straight to McComb and put on a free concert,” McDaniel said.
In case of rain Saturday, Cochran will perform at the National Guard Armory on West Street.
Collection points will be at McComb Market for people to drop off donations or leave items for care packages that will be sent to the soldiers after they have arrived in Iraq. The group also will have paper bags with a list of needed items printed on the bags available.
