Two monuments commemorating the Army National Guard’s 857th Engineer Company’s deployment to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012 and 2013 were purchased with donations. “Donations collected by a committee comprised of many city employees, officials and volunteers were used to purchase much needed items for the Army National Guard’s 857th Engineer Company Armory in Picayune. The funds, more than $10,000 raised during a radiothon, boot drive and a “Pennies for Soldiers” fund raising event, were donated by the supportive local community. The radiothon involved community members calling in to the local radio station to pledge a donation, the boot drive involved Picayune firefighters collecting donations at intersections within the city while the “Pennies for Soldiers” raised funds at all three of the county’s school districts”, said Picayune Fire Chief Keith Brown. The two Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial monuments were paid for with some of the donations.
Army National Guard’s 857th Engineer Company Monument Locations:
(1)National Guard Armory, 1300 Highway 11 South, Picayune MS 39466
(2) Picayune Historic City Hall, Veteran’s Memorial, 203 Goodyear Boulevard, Picayune MS 39466
County: Pearl River
Phone: 601.799.3070
Website: www.picayune.ms.us
Email: picstaffasst@bellsouth.net
Admission: Free
Accessibility Features: Wheelchair accessible