Tyner vows support for veterans

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
July 27, 2003
Aubrey Thomas served in the bombing division of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.
Since then, Thomas, now 82, said he's been paying close attention to the treatment of his fellow veterans as a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 79 in Meridian.
Thomas listened closely as Republican gubernatorial hopeful Mitch Tyner told a small group of about 50 veterans and other residents that he would hire a veteran to his staff if he's elected.
Tyner will face Republican Haley Barbour in the Aug. 5 primary. The winner will likely then go head-to-head with incumbent Democrat Ronnie Musgrove, who faces weak primary opposition, in the November general election.
Tyner was among a group of several local and statewide politicians who attended VFW Post 79's first annual political forum on Saturday at the post's headquarters on Old Highway 80 West.
Tyner said he believes veterans in Mississippi have been neglected. That's the reason he said he plans to appoint a veteran to his staff.
Chuck McElroy, publicity chairman for the post, said he, too, was impressed with Tyner's speech. But, he said, he wasn't as happy with the turnout to his post's first-year political event.
McElroy, whose group sold hot dogs and soft drinks to the sparse crowd, said he hopes the event is more successful in the future.