Retired Air Force Colonel Joe Kinnan is anything but “retired.” His military career ended in 1988, but the 84-year-old continues to serve through civic engagement and volunteer work in Hattiesburg and across Mississippi. The City of Hattiesburg has named Kinnan its 2021 Veteran of the Year. He will be honored during the city's annual Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 10 at Veterans Memorial Park. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. During a 24-hour watch, the names of 173 service members from Hattiesburg who died in service to their country will be read at 7 p.m. The names of the service members are engraved on the four pillars at the park. "This is a meaningful ceremony," Mayor Toby Barker told the Hattiesburg American. "We need to make sure that we show up and support them." The retired AF colonel served 26 years on active duty, and has served on the Hattiesburg Veterans Committee, where he established the tradition of a 24-hour Honor Guard watch leading up to Veterans Day events. Kinnan and his wife Sandy moved to Hattiesburg in 1983, when he was named commander of AFROTC Detachment 423 at the University of Southern Mississippi. He has been an advocate for mental health services, and a leader in the Mississippi National Alliance on Mental Illness. (Source: Hattiesburg American 11/05/21) Joe Kinnan named Hattiesburg Veteran of the Year (hattiesburgamerican.com)
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