Local vet honored during championship game

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg local, Dr. Jon Graham was honored during the MHSAA 6A State Championship game when the Warren Central Vikings defeated the Hattiesburg Tigers in the title match. Each year the Mississippi High School Activities Association recognizes a U.S. Armed Forces Veteran as the “Veteran of the Game” through a partnership with the Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the Mississippi Salute Initiative. 

According to MHSAA, this year was the biggest year with the most nominations. Winners of the Mississippi Salute Initiative were selected by members of MHSAA and MS Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veteran of the Game recipients received a VIP experience for themselves and five guests, including upgraded field-level seating for the entire game. 

With hundreds of nominations pouring in, only one veteran was selected per classification/per game. 

MHSAA said it was a great honor to recognize and celebrate those selected seven veterans on the state’s biggest stage. Among those nominated and selected as a 2025 State Championship Veteran of the Game was Vicksburg’s very own- Dr. Jon Graham

Dr. Jon Graham is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served from 2001–2009 with the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion of the 2nd Marine Division and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force. 

Graham deployed across Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Germany, and Italy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Al-Fajr, Operation Phantom Fury, and Operation Steel Curtain, in which his unit was recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation and Marine Corps Unit Citation. He also deployed as part of various campaigns and training exercises in the Atlantic and Pacific.