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From YouTube: State of the City 2020
Description
Here is the video portion of Mayor Andrew "FoFo" Gilich's State of the City address, published Jan. 30, 2020.
A
A
These
are
excellent
goals
to
be
sure
and
something
we
certainly
should
enjoy.
Not
only
do
I
want
our
children
and
grandchildren
to
appreciate
our
history.
I
want
to
experience
that
Biloxi,
where
I
grew
up
the
Biloxi,
where
many
of
you
grew
up.
The
Biloxi
that
others
of
you
have
heard
about
when
downtown
Biloxi
was
the
thriving
heart
of
the
city.
How
about
when
we
go
floundering
on
a
waterfront,
when
you
could
drive
down
Highway
90
without
encountering
a
sandstorm
and
piles
of
sand
in
the
roadway
clogging
storm
drains?
A
Lexi
has
faced
many
challenges
in
his
320
year
history.
It's
always
risen
to
the
occasion.
The
luckiest
population
was
about
17,000
until
World
War,
two
and
the
arrival
of
keysto
field,
nearly
overnight
the
population
jumped
to
over
a
hundred
thousand,
and
you
think
we
have
a
short-term
rental
issue
now
today,
Keesler
Air,
Force,
Base
and
everything
and
everyone
related
to
it,
is
woven
into
the
fabric
of
Biloxi.
A
Perhaps
the
greatest
challenge
was
Hurricane
Katrina
and
the
FEMA
infrastructure
project
that
it
brought
to
us.
It
was
to
rebuild
everything
that
went
underwater,
doing
the
storm
water
sewer
streets,
storm
drains,
curbs,
gutters
and
sidewalks
everything
design
through
construction
from
2007
to
2013.
A
A
A
Wholesale
disruption,
there
was
no
reasonable
explanation
as
to
why
we
took
over
program
management
in
2016.
We
worked
hand
in
hand
with
Mema
and
FEMA
to
complete
the
north
contractor
to
move
forward
with
the
construction
south
of
the
railroad
tracks.
We
inspect
the
construction,
pay
the
contractors
get
reimbursed
by
meme
and
FEMA
in
a
timely
way.
Today.
Those
55
miles
of
streets
in
the
north
contract
have
base
course
asphalt
on
them.
Final
surface
asphalt,
striping
fence,
replacements
and
landscaping
will
follow
shortly
on
the
South
contracts.
A
We
promise
that
you
would
not
see
the
total
destruction
that
you
saw
on
the
north
contractor.
It's
been
painful,
but
we're
making
progress.
Hemphill
is
expected
to
complete
its
work
in
March.
We
will
have
all
of
Howard
Avenue
open
in
time
for
the
parades
down
on
the
point
plan.
Construction
is
working
on
replacing
water
sewer
and
the
drainage
in
the
oldest
part
of
our
city.
That
10
million
dollar
project
covers
the
area
from
CSX
railway
north
of
Howard
Avenue
over
to
Kellerman.
A
So
you
ask
what's
left
and
where
will
they
be
done?
Here's
an
overview.
It
started
with
the
355
million
in
Eagle
points.
We
install
new
water,
sewer,
rain
engine,
new
roads,
sidewalks
and
curbing
in
neighborhoods
offloading
burden
or
the
pass
road.
We
installed
new
water,
sewer
drainage
and
new
roads,
sidewalks
and
curbing
operate
the
roads
in
the
north
bay
area.
We
installed
new
water,
sewer,
drainage,
new
roads
and
sidewalks,
and
curbing
on
the
north
contractor.
A
We
spend
105
million
of
the
129
million
to
install
new
water,
sewer
drainage
and
new
roads
and
sidewalks
and
cover
south
of
the
railroad
tracks
from
downtown
to
seashore
methodist
campgrounds.
We
spent
seventeen
point:
five
million
of
a
twenty
five
million
dollar
contract
to
install
new
water,
sewer
drainage
and
new
roads,
sidewalks
and
kerbin
Point
cadet
has
spent
four
hundred
thousand
dollars
of
a
ten
point:
five
million
dollar
contract
to
install
new
water,
sewer
drainage
and
new
roads.
Sidewalks
in
curbing
in
the
area
south
of
the
railroad
tracks,
north
of
Howard
Avenue.
A
We
have
about
a
hundred
million
dollars
to
complete
the
remaining
work.
We
still
have
work
to
do
along
the
front
beach
headed
down
to
the
coast
Coliseum
and
some
down
on
the
point
south
of
how
revenue
we've
had
a
few
bumps
in
the
road
with
FEMA,
following
through
with
the
money
they
promise
for
of
this
project.
Gregg,
Michelle
and
Mima
has
and
does
support
Biloxi
every
day.
A
I
thank
Greg
for
this
help
and,
most
importantly,
wish
to
express
our
appreciation
to
our
congressional
delegation,
senator
Roger
wicker,
Cindy
hyde-smith
in
congressman
Steven,
Palazzo
and
Bennie
Thompson
for
encouraging
FEMA
to
do
what's
right
for
the
city,
let
me
remind
you
we're
replacing
a
sewer
system
that
was
installed
in
the
50s
with
a
25
year.
Life
span
when
we're
done
with
this
work,
the
oldest
part
of
our
water,
sewer
and
drainage
systems
will
be
in
the
West
Biloxi
we're
working
on
that
right
now,
with
projects
in
Tanglewood
and
other
areas.
A
That
brings
us
to
Keesler
Air
Force
Base
after
being
talked
about
for
decades,
you'll
see
a
new
convenient
main
gate
that
will
create
an
economic
development
corridor
on
Division
Street
from
our
110
to
the
new
interests
at
Forest
Avenue.
This
is
a
major
undertaking,
a
thirty-seven
million
our
city
state
and
federal
undertaking
that
will
bring
Keesler
up
to
a
post,
9/11
security
standards,
a
new
roundabout
that
division
and
forest
will
take
you
inside
the
gate
to
a
new
visitor
center
in
the
contractors
office,
you'll,
see
no
train
tracks
and
other
obstacles.
A
Division
Street
from
Forest
I-110
is
going
to
be
divided.
Four-Lane
Boulevard,
with
underground
utilities.
Keisters
plan
is
to
begin
using
the
gate
after
the
commercial
checkpoint
has
been
constructed
by
the
end
of
2021,
and
the
gate
will
be
fully
operational
in
2022
when
the
visitor
center
it
will
be
completed.
Infrastructure
work
inside
the
gate
is
nearly
complete.
We're
progressing
on
about
six
million
dollars
in
property
acquisition,
in
fact,
for
old
Biloxi
homes
were
saved
from
the
wrecking
ball
bids
on
the
work
outside
the
gate
will
go
out
by
this
summer.
A
You
should
be
driving
on
it
after
an
estimated
one
year,
construction
period,
no
major,
subsurface
or
rework
of
the
north
contract
is
expected.
We're
looking
for
the
same
type
of
transformation
in
downtown
Biloxi.
You
know
Kisa
was
the
key
factor
for
Biloxi
Barbara
downtown
years
ago,
but
she
was
a
hopping
place
when
the
soldiers
got
paid
and
could
leave
the
base
with
a
nod
to
its
past
restoration
of
that
hopping,
vibrant
downtown
and
Howard
Avenue
is
underway.
The
resurrection
is
aimed
at
generations
that
want
to
live
work
and
play
in
a
happening,
vibrant
place.
A
We've
reopened,
Howard
Avenue
to
two-way
traffic,
I.
Think
the
hand-laid
brick
surface
is
more
than
the
street
more
like
a
venue.
The
table
for
economic
development
is
set
and
that's
what
we're
seeing
the
new
community
Bank
building
on
the
corner
of
Howard
and
ylim
use
is
coming
out
of
the
ground.
This
three-story
building
is
a
multi-million
dollar
investment
at
the
Sooner
of
our
downtown.
It's
going
to
have
a
look
of
old
boxy
and
it's
going
to
be
a
great
downtown
addition.
A
Not
only
is
it
going
to
be
a
full-service
Bank
of
15,000
square
feet
and
25
employees,
it's
going
to
have
two
rooftop
terraces
in
a
community
room.
Stark's
contracting
expects
to
deliver
this
beautifully
story.
Building
by
early
2021,
the
heart
of
downtown
Biloxi
beat
stronger
and
louder
each
day.
As
you
know,
we
have
a
performance
based
strategy
with
developers.
The
district
on
Howard
Avenue
owns
a
half
dozen
buildings
downtown.
A
The
goal
is
to
see
230,000
square
feet
of
boutique
shops,
local
breweries,
restaurants
and
music
venues,
330
residential
units,
one
two
and
three
bedrooms
and
20,000
square
feet
of
office
space.
With
the
planned
54
million
in
development.
They
could
realize
millions
in
tax
breaks.
So
where
are
we?
Over
the
past
couple
of
months,
all
the
utility
condos
were
buried
behind
the
Bark's
building
and
they're
in
the
final
stages
of
planning
renovations
for
new
business
that
will
be
announced
shortly.
Ex
touring
is
opening
in
the
former
Woolworth
Building
at
808,
Howard
Avenue.
A
We
may
have
some
of
the
city
council
meetings
there.
The
district
is
continuing
discussions
with
a
permanent
operator
they're
in
the
process
of
reopening
the
des
crest
building
temporarily
as
a
venue
that
can
be
rented
out
for
parties,
weddings
and
events
sitting
along
the
parade
route
for
Mardi
Gras,
st.
Patrick's
Day
and
in
the
thick
of
our
downtown
Biloxi
block
party.
For
cruising
the
coast,
crest
we'll
be
seeing
new
life
in
the
coming
months.
A
We're
sealing
the
envelope
over
the
Saenger
theater
the
flight
hour
at
the
rear
of
the
building
is
being
rebuilt,
we're
replacing
the
roof
ceiling,
exterior
walls
and
replacing
the
heating
and
air
conditioning
system.
The
contract
has
been
given
notice
to
proceed,
we're
working
to
get
this
gym
of
the
coast
open
as
soon
as
possible.
After
a
one-year
construction
period,
the
Saenger
is
important
to
our
quality
of
life,
but
the
work
we
need
to
do
on
refurbishing.
The
interior
is
also
a
costly
proposition.
We
continue
to
work
with
private
and
public
sources
for
funding.
A
Rest
assured,
we
know
the
importance
of
the
Sangha
across
from
the
Sangha
is
the
Biloxi
Transit
Center,
the
only
multimodal
facility
between
New,
Orleans
and
Jacksonville?
We
have
this
premier
facility
and
now
all
we
need
is
trains.
The
southern
rail
Commission
has
been
working
hard
to
bring
daily
passenger
service
between
New,
Orleans
and
Mobile.
Could
you
imagine
dropping
off
hundreds
of
visits
in
the
middle
of
thousands
of
hotel
rooms,
a
block
away
from
the
MGM
park
near
the
waterfront
and
efficacy
knows,
and
a
vibrant,
downtown
Biloxi?
It's
a
no
brainer.
A
A
Sports
betting
has
increased
the
gross
gaming
revenue.
Many
folks
came
in
just
to
bet
on
events.
They
also
brought
others
with
them.
We
also
realize
the
linkage
to
the
increase
in
sales
tax
to
the
city
overall
gross
gaming
revenue
was
up
by
fifty
million
dollars
last
year.
The
numbers
show
that
Biloxi
is
still
an
expanding
market.
The
success
in
growth
in
Biloxi
has
generated
new
interest
in
Biloxi.
What
do
I
mean?
It's
not
just
about
casinos.
It's
about
casino
resorts
conferences,
conventions,
shopping
in
crack
creation
and
doing
it
midweek
Monday
through
Thursday.
A
One
point
cadet
this
year,
you're
going
to
see
the
140
million
dollar
amusement
park,
300
room,
hotel
and
parking
garage
coming
out
of
the
ground
in
Margaritaville,
the
12
million
I
love
Ferris
wheel
has
been
ordered.
The
landscape
of
the
point
is
going
to
change
when
it
opens
in
the
spring
of
next
year.
No
doubt
it's
going
to
create
excitement
along
with
more
traffic.
That's
why
I
think
an
exit
from
the
westbound
lane
off
of
the
Biloxi
Bay
Bridge
onto
Howard
Avenue
will
be
needed.
It
will
be
the
beginning
of
a
much
talked-about
east-west
corridor.
A
A
We
already
have
thousands
of
hotel
rooms
within
a
one-mile
radius.
That's
where
it
needs
to
be
alongside
a
500
room
conference
center
hotel.
Several
sites
for
a
conference
center
have
been
identified
at
the
same
time
we're
seeing
a
renewed
interest
in
multi-million
dollar
projects
at
the
Tivoli
and
the
Broadwater
properties.
A
Another
will
link
the
Palace
Casino
Resort
and
the
point
cadet
plasm
on
Back
Bay
Seymour
Engineering
is
designing
a
boardwalk
that
will
link
and
Forest
Avenue
T,
pier
with
Kensington
Drive.
There
will
be
an
attractive
promenade
with
benches
and
shaded
areas.
Those
ugly
rocks
will
be
gone
and
once
again,
you'll
have
access
to
the
bay.
A
It
had
great
soft
shelling,
as
well
as
a
regularly
scheduled
power
boat
races
when
our
most
part
of
its,
what
we're
doing
on
East
Beach
between
the
small
craft,
harbor
and
Oak
Street
funding
was
secured
thanks
to
governor
phil
Bryant
for
the
Back
Bay
boardwalk,
but
also
for
an
innovative
ten-foot
boardwalk
cast
on
top
of
the
existing
seawall
on
the
sand.
Beach
edge
will
be
an
18
inch
neat
wall
that
raises
the
seawall
profile
and
should
keep
the
sand
on
the
beach
and
not
blow
onto
the
highway.
A
The
project
includes
the
sand,
beach
replenishment,
Covington
engineering
studied
our
sand
and
is
finding
the
source
for
heavier
sand
that
will
be
placed
on
that
stretch
of
the
sand.
Beach.
Many
people
in
visitors
have
seen
the
ugly
alcohol
pipes
that
drain
water
off
of
highway
90.
They
have
been
there
since
seawall
construction
in
the
nine
20
s,
something
to
sewer
pipes.
I
want
to
thank
Governor,
phil
Bryant
for
his
vision
in
seeing
the
new
ways
constructed
along
our
Front
Beach.
It
succeeded
in
replacing
the
unsightly
structures
that
have
been
with
us
for
decades.
A
Those
three
built
in
Biloxi
are
actually
a
new
attraction.
We
look
forward
to
the
day
when
all
our
faults
are
gone
with
all
our
progress
on
the
waterfront.
We
suffered
an
environmental
and
economic
catastrophe.
Last
summer,
the
Corps
of
Engineers
open
the
Bonnet
Carre
spillway,
releasing
the
flood
of
polluted
Mississippi
River
water
into
the
Mississippi
Sound
for
an
unprecedented
123
days
and
for
the
first
time,
all
the
way
into
August
killing
oyster
beds
in
the
nursery
grounds
for
shrimp
crabs
and
fin
fish
been
causing
blue-green
algae
bloom
that
essentially
shut
down
our
beaches.
A
This
disaster
cost
over
215
million
dollars
in
losses
for
our
Coast
commercial
fishery
and
seafood
businesses
and
millions
to
tourism.
Biloxi
special
counsel,
Gerald
Leslie
began
the
organization
of
a
coalition
of
governments
and
businesses
to
stand
up
for
the
coast
against
further
harm
to
the
Mississippi
Sound
and
to
seek
long-term
win-win
solutions
to
protect
us
from
pollution
coming
from
31
states
and
two
Canadian
provinces.
A
The
Mississippi
Sound
coalition
has
taken
legal
action
against
the
US
Army
Corps
of
Engineers
and
the
Mississippi
River
Commission
to
compel
them
to
find
win-win
ways
to
avoid,
or
at
least
minimize
opening
the
body
Carre
spillway.
It
is
asked
Congress
to
adopt
a
new
law,
the
Mississippi
Sound
and
Lake
Pontchartrain
Protection
Act
of
2020
to
give
the
Coast
a
permanent
seat
at
the
table
before
opening
any
spill
ways
and
require
the
federal
government
to
find
better
ways
to
avoid
flooding,
New
Orleans
without
killing
the
sound
in
2019.
A
A
It
was
either
the
span
or
the
crossing
bars
control
systems
or
any
number
of
other
issues
regardless
it's
an
inconvenience
for
everyday
motorists
and
it's
unacceptable
when
you
consider
this
is
an
evacuation
route.
Replacing
the
bridge
is
120
million
dollar
proposition,
but
the
process
has
started.
It
will
not
be
a
drawbridge
but
high
enough
to
accommodate
the
marine
traffic.
It
will
be
four
lanes
before
lane
approaches
on
the
northern
end
in
southern
ends.
The
south
end
of
the
bridge
won't
touch
land
until
Atkinson
Road
in
our
2020
vision.
A
Ops
ferry
will
also
be
part
of
the
Biloxi
Beach
connector
that
will
connect
highway
67
down
Trainor's
Boulevard
from
I
110
at
will
market
exit
all
the
way
to
highway
90
west
of
the
Coliseum
we're
already
working
on
the
south
end.
The
plans
are
with
MDOT
now
and
we're
working
with
our
state
and
federal
leaders
to
get
the
255
million
dollars
needed
for
this.
We
need
to
make
it
happen.
A
There
are
opportunities
in
world
market
I
still
meet
every
Thursday
morning
at
the
Chevron
station,
with
the
wool
market
Planning
Commission.
So
you
know:
wool
market
is
on
my
radar
working
with
Harrison
County.
We
have
moved
the
wool
market
library
from
a
cramped,
trailer
to
the
north
end
of
a
5,000
square
foot
building
that
will
be
known
as
the
wool
market
city
center.
The
library
has
been
up
and
running
for
a
year
and
a
half
the
contractor
is
doing
interior
work
on
the
community
room
this
summer.
A
We
expect
exterior
parking
lot
and
landscaping
work
to
be
completed,
we're
looking
forward
to
opening
the
Center
for
family
gatherings
and
other
special
events
that
would
include
a
voting
precinct.
A
large
portion
of
wool
market
has
access
to
public
water
and
sewer.
We
still
have
more
to
accomplish
and
we're
working
on
it.
We
have
a
1
million
dollar
grant
from
MDOT
that
will
add
more
sidewalks.
This
year,
this
past
November,
we
opened
fire
station
number
10
at
the
East
End
wool
market
to
reduce
response
times.
It
will
also
result
in
a
better
fire
insurance
rating.
A
We
will
begin
construction
on
a
new
six
acre
park
in
Eagle
Point.
It
will
include
a
walking
track:
basketball
court
playground,
pavilion
for
parties
restrooms
and
more
what
7,
councilman
Nathan
Barrett
led
the
funding.
Everything
I
also
would
like
to
thank
the
Harrison
County
Board
of
Supervisors
and
the
Harrison
County
utility
authority
for
help
with
the
work
we're
doing
in
woolmarket
with
all
these
projects
and
growth
happening.
I
would
certainly
be
remiss
if
I
didn't
mention
the
work
force
behind
this
city,
our
dedicated
employees.
A
We
currently
have
667
individuals
that
provide
day-to-day
services
that
you
expect
and
deserve.
Last
year
the
community
development
department
issued
over
3500
permits,
including
221
for
commercial
buildings
770
for
residential
buildings.
The
staff
worked
with
developers,
entrepreneurs,
homeowners
and
many
others
to
guide
them
through
the
process.
Additions
to
our
business
community
include
the
new
Hilton
Garden
Inn
Hotel
and
the
stylish
waffle
house
in
East
Paluxy.
A
We
saw
the
brick
and
spoon
restaurant
Kay,
Jewelers
and
Verizon
Wireless
store
open
south
of
the
Edgewater
tomorrow,
the
Biloxi
Fire
Department
is
made
up
of
178
employees
and
now,
including
Jack,
the
fire
dog
Fire
Station
number
seven
and
Fire
Station
number
ten
are
now
manned
and
operational.
This
is
the
first
time
in
the
department's
history
to
have
a
designated
training
facility
with
state-of-the-art
classrooms
and
a
training
tower
with
all
the
shootings
around
the
country
on
an
all
too
frequent
basis.
A
This
tragedy
not
only
struck
his
family
and
the
family
in
blue
with
the
community
and
the
nation.
There
was
a
tremendous
outpouring
of
support
and
sympathy
from
throughout
the
south,
and
indeed
the
country
I
commend
Biloxi,
Police
Chief
John
Miller,
all
of
the
men
and
women
in
the
Paluxy
Police
Department,
along
with
all
the
departments
from
surrounding
communities
for
their
professionalism
in
handling
this
tragedy.
I
also
commend
one
of
our
own
officers,
Michael
wheeler,
who
spotted
the
accused
shooter
the
next
day
and
assisted
with
his
apprehension.
A
I
131
sworn
officers
answered,
105
thousand
calls
for
service
last
year,
62
percent
of
those
being
self-initiated.
The
department
is
very
proactive.
They
are
still
having
to
deal
with
70
to
80
encounters
with
transits
and
homelessness
every
week.
It's
a
problem
that
plagues
communities
across
the
country
to
help
expand
the
reach
and
effectiveness
of
our
Police
Department.
We
implemented
a
new
community
crime
camera
program
last
year
to
deter
crime
and
to
solve
crimes
that
our
community,
our
Public
Works
Department
last
year,
process.
A
More
than
10,000
work
orders
it
mowed
over
6000
miles
of
grass
performed
over
six
hundred
thousand
feet
of
maintenance
and
repairs
to
drainage,
ditches
and
saw
a
35
percent
increase
in
water,
media
installation
and
repairs.
Every
day.
This
department
maintains
23
water
wells
throughout
the
city,
104
wastewater,
lift
stations
and
make
sure
our
2,700
fire
hydrants
are
working
properly.
A
In
reality,
our
city
departments
and
divisions
are
tasked
to
provide
the
level
of
service
that
you
expect
and
deserve
our
economic
development
initiatives
and
quality
of
life.
Improvements
are
designed
to
grow
our
economy.
We
also
want
to
grow
our
5.7
million
visitors
per
year
to
pre-katrina
levels
of
eight
to
ten
million
per
year.
These
numbers
are
important,
just
as
growing
our
population
from
the
44,000
to
where
we
I
think
we
need
to
be
about
55,000
residents
by
the
end
of
March
about
10
weeks
from
today.
It's
going
to
be
time
for
the
2020
census.
A
It's
vital
that
you
take
part
in
this
process.
It
will
determine
your
representation
in
federal
state
and
local
governments.
The
information
compiled
guides,
the
distribution
of
federal
funds,
grants
and
other
support
to
communities.
For
the
first
time
this
census
can
be
accomplished
online
by
phone
or
by
mail.
Please
encourage
everyone
to
step
up
complete
the
surveys,
help
your
city
and
your
nation
never
overlook
the
continuing
accomplishments
of
our
Biloxi
public
schools.
Lux
is
once
again
in
a
raided
district
with
the
number
one
junior
in
the
highest
pre-k
scores
on
the
coast.
A
Since
the
state
accountability
system
began
the
blocks
a
school
district
has
earned
the
top
rating
25
times.
Biloxi
High
School's
2019,
graduating
seniors,
received
over
11
million
dollars
in
scholarships.
The
City,
Council
and
I
recognized
more
than
50
students
who
had
earned
an
ACP
score
of
30
or
more.
In
fact,
Biloxi
Public
Schools
was
fourth
in
the
state
for
the
highest
AC
T
scores.
A
The
term
state
of
the
art
is
used
a
lot
these
days,
but
you
can
actually
see
it
every
day
at
Biloxi,
public
schools
we're
going
to
create
a
new
landmark
to
honor
one,
the
most
famous
Biloxi
high
school
graduates
and
the
most
famous
person
in
our
history
April
will
mark
the
50th
anniversary
of
Apollo
13,
a
mission
that
has
been
called
NASA's.
Most
successful.
A
Failure
in
a
mission
that
United
the
world
in
Hope
prayer
and
problem-solving
and
as
the
trouble
spacecraft
made
its
way
back
to
earth
our
own
Fred
Hayes,
a
Biloxi
native
who
grew
up
on
Back
Bay,
more
tremendous
pride
to
this
city
to
the
nation
into
the
entire
world.
As
powell
13
lunar
module
pilot
since
Adam
and
Eve
fred
is
one
of
only
24
people
to
have
flown
to
the
moon
and
back
he's
been
a
tremendous
asset
to
Biloxi
and
the
coasts
inspiring
students
in
Biloxi,
Public
Schools.
A
In
being
the
driving
force
in
creating
the
infinity
Space
Center
near
the
Stennis
Space
Center,
we
have
a
statue
dedicated
to
the
old
world
explorer
pierre
lemoyne,
the
Abbeville
down
at
the
Boise
visitor
center
and
I
want
to
see
a
statue.
A
new
community
landmark
that
pays
homage
to
our
new
world,
Explorer,
Fred,
Hayes
and
finally,
I
want
to
close
today
with
something
that
I
saw
earlier
this
year
over
at
guys,
Park
just
north
of
the
Biloxi
small
craft
armor,
we
unveiled
another
landmark
in
Biloxi
last
year.
A
It's
the
gold
star
families
memorial
lux
is
one
of
only
a
handful
of
cities
across
the
country
to
have
a
gold
star
Memorial,
which
pays
tribute
to
those
families
who
lost
loved
ones
in
the
service
of
our
country.
It
was
a
moving
ceremony
with
the
last
living
Ella
Bonner
winner
from
the
Battle
of
Iwo
Jima
96
year
old
Hershel,
woody
Williams.
We
had
a
host
of
families
there
from
across
the
Gulf
Coast
who
spoke
about
their
departed
family
members.
A
What
a
setting
it
was
right
there
under
the
oak
trees
at
Guy's
Park
in
the
shadow
of
the
Purple
Heart
Memorial,
and
at
the
USS
Biloxi
mast
with
the
small
craft,
Harbor
and
waterfront.
In
the
background
down
the
street,
you
hit
the
Hard,
Rock
and
Beau
Rivage
casino
resorts
across
the
street.
We
had
the
brand
new
Hilton
Garden
Inn,
and
next
to
it,
there
was
the
Santa
Maria
del
Mar,
which
is
being
transformed
into
a
new
upscale
all-suite
hotel
called
legends.
It
was
all
connected
by
a
new
pedestrian
bridge.