MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Military supporters, aviation enthusiasts and community members gathered Tuesday evening at the Key Brothers Hangar at Meridian Regional Airport for the Mississippi Council of the Navy League’s 15th annual Wings & Tails event, the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.
The event featured static aircraft displays, classic cars, live entertainment and food, while raising money to support military programs and service members across Mississippi.
“This is our 15th annual Wings and Tails event,” said Joe Mercado, president of the Mississippi Council of the Navy League. “It’s our major fundraiser for the year that allows us to do all of the things that we do to help support the military in this community and throughout the state.”
Guests arriving at the airport were greeted by rows of aircraft and classic cars, including vintage hot rods and newer custom vehicles. Live music from Scott McQuaig & The Tomcats provided entertainment throughout the evening.
“Awesome event with a lot of static aircraft. We already had a flyover earlier,” Mercado said. “Static airplanes and a lot of classic cars and even hot rods, newer ones and stuff, so a lot of great cars and stuff. Scott McQuaig & The Tomcats as live entertainment. Awesome food, I can smell it, we got lines already forming for that. Great food and drinks and stuff, so it’s a great evening.”
According to Mercado, proceeds from the fundraiser support military programs statewide, including Naval ROTC units, awards programs and community recognition efforts connected to Naval Air Station Meridian.
“All of the funds that we get from this go to support the Naval base and around the state,” Mercado said. “We support the high schools — of the Naval and ROTC programs around the state, through giving awards, the Theodore Roosevelt Award.”
The organization also honors military personnel stationed at NAS Meridian through monthly and annual recognition programs.
“Basically monthly we have a top performing pilot that we give what’s called a Golden Stick,” Mercado said. “At the end of the year we give the top performing people from all of the different disciplines out at the base, we end up recognizing them and giving them awards.”
Mercado said the Navy’s presence in Meridian plays a significant role in the local economy and community life.
“Obviously the Navy is such a huge part of this community, and people don’t think about it because we’re not on the coast,” Mercado said. “Roughly half the pilots that are flying in the Navy get trained right here in Meridian.”
He added that the installation’s economic impact extends throughout the area through jobs, restaurants and local businesses.
“If you’re a member of this community, you’re benefiting from them being here,” Mercado said. “Being a part of the Navy League is a way for us to give back to them and be able to support them.”
The organization also funds a Naval ROTC scholarship through the University of Mississippi.
“We also have a scholarship through Ole Miss, where we actually have a Naval ROTC Scholarship that also funded through this program,” Mercado said.
Mercado encouraged community members to join the Navy League and support its mission.
“We’re always looking for membership,” he said. “We have a Facebook site and we have a QR code on there that you can scan to join. Again, just trying to be involved with the community and trying to help out. The Navy does so much for us, and it gives us an opportunity to give back to them.”
