By By Ida Brown / staff writer
November 5, 2004
The search is on for a few good men and women to join the Meridian Area Navy League.
While interested residents may join at any time, the special membership drive is considered crucial in protecting Naval Air Station Meridian during the 2005 round of base realignments and closures commonly called BRAC.
During the last round of closures in 1995, the Navy League was 1,200 members strong. Organization leaders said that number was a main factor in Meridian keeping the base.
The four-week membership campaign begins Nov. 8. The Navy League hopes to add at least 1,000 new names to its current membership of 700.
Last year, more than 300 new members were added. The successful campaign captured national attention, with the military magazine Sea Power reporting that Meridian ranked fourth nationwide in new member enlistments.
The Navy League sponsors military citizen of the year awards, provides information on changes of commands and wingings, provides scholarships to dependents of military members and presents awards to Navy Junior ROTC cadets.
Interested residents not contacted by a committee member can join the Navy League by calling the East Mississippi Business Development Corp. Lauderdale County's chief economic development agency at 693-1306.
Here is a look at the Meridian Area Navy League, an organization committed to visibly supporting the men, women, current and future missions at Naval Air Station Meridian.