Veterans from across the region will receive much needed help thanks to the efforts of the annual Veterans Picnic in Columbia.
Officials from the Wounded Minutemen of Mississippi accepted a check for $4,000 from the annual event, which once again drew a large crowd despite inclement weather. Organizers met at Second Street Bean in Columbia for the presentation Thursday morning.
“This was our sixth year for the picnic and over the years we’ve given $24,000 to help the Wounded Minutemen,” Mark Retcho, picnic chairman, said. “Next year we plan on trying to make it even bigger. We do it for the veterans, for our wounded brothers and sisters. One-hundred percent of the funds go to the veterans and if they meet the criteria and they’re worthy, they get the money.”
In 2019 Retcho expects things to get even bigger for the annual picnic and car show.
“The city of Columbia will host the Vietnam War Memorial that is the ‘Wall That Heals,’” he said. “It will be Nov. 14 through Nov. 17. That Saturday, the 16th, will be the car show and picnic and we hope we’ll have a banner turnout. The veterans we help run into all kinds of problems. The VA and the government do a good job, but there are always those incidentals that they need. This is a way for Mississippi to take care of Mississippi. Our veterans here need it.”
Retired Gen. Ike Pylant is co-chair and president of the Wounded Minutemen of Mississippi and said he’s grateful to Retcho and the people of Columbia for their help. He said his organization has a large fundraiser coming up soon in Purvis and hopes to get continued support for the wounded veterans in the state.
“This is our ninth annual tournament and we give money to wounded veterans that need help with anything they might need,” he said. “We interview them and make sure the money goes to the people that need it the most. We have a screening process and pick those who are most worthy and present the checks during our golf tournament, which will be April 15. We have a big time. We have hole in one prizes, closest to the pin and longest drive prizes. It’s a regular tournament. We always have a big crowd and people really support it.”
The money given Thursday will go to help veterans who will be receiving checks on April 15, according to Pylant.
“The Veterans Committee and Picnic Committee in Marion County have been big supporters of our efforts each year,” he said. “We really appreciate them helping us out. They do a great job with the annual Veterans Picnic. All of the money goes to the Wounded Minutemen of Mississippi. We really appreciate it. They’ve given us almost $25,000 and we try to raise about $45,000 or $50,000 to give to troops. We may have 10 applicants or we may have three or four. Over the years, we’ve given about $280,000 to 53 Wounded Minutemen in Mississippi. We hope to have a big year this year.”
Pictured Above: The Wounded Minutemen of Mississippi were the beneificiaries of a check from the annual Veterans Picnic and Car Show in Columbia. Pictured from left are Picnic Chairman Mark Retcho, Miss Mississippi Coed Danielle Moore, retired Gen. Johnny M. Sellers, Mattie Corker of VFW Post 5393 and retired Gen. Ike Pylant. In back from left are Bobby Rayborn of the Backwoods Cruizers, VFW Post 5393 Commander Edward Corker and Marion County Veterans Service Officer Dewey Blansett. | Photo by Mark Rogers
