Video: Memorial Day Block Party Hosted in Columbus

[syndicaster id=’5786978′]

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Memorial Day is known as the unofficial start of summer. This weekend some folks in Columbus are gathering for fun in the sun and to honor service men and women who have paid the ultimate price.

Everyone loves a good cookout but this block party in Columbus is also to honor those on this Memorial Day who’ve given their lives for America’s freedom.

“Once you get involved with all the military families in town, you understand how Memorial Day is. Memorial Day is a big part of our family, our community and North side. So we thought we’d do a little festival and make something good out of it,” says Colin Krieger (Kreeg-er), who organized the event with Jeremy Jones.

Colin Krieger is from New Orleans and moved to Columbus after Hurricane Katrina. He says living in Columbus has special meaning for his family.

“My father was in the Marines and I also had another uncle in the Marines. So it’s a good thing that we get to know folks around here also. It’s such a big part of town and such a big part of here that Memorial Day started here and we try to embrace that and take credit for it,” says Krieger.

Airman Jeffrey Brunner just arrived in Columbus with his fiance and says people should remember the real reason Memorial Day is celebrated.

“We really take emphasis on the people who have really given everything to give us the freedom we have today.
And of course those who’ve been injured out on the battle field and have given the ultimate price. That’s what the holiday is really about,” says Jeffrey Brunner, of the Columbus Air Force Base.

Still, Brunner says there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the day off and having a little crawfish while you’re at it.

This is the first year Krieger, a local Realtor, hosted a Memorial Day block party.