Downtown Iuka will host two special events this weekend, the Jaybird Holiday Market and the Veterans Day Parade.
This year the Jaybird Holiday Market will be this Saturday, November 12th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Iuka. This shopping event is a community favorite bringing together local artisans, businesses, and vendors to create a holiday shopping experience unlike any other in Iuka. Booths will be set up in Jaybird Park and many of the local businesses in and around Front Street will be open for shopping. If you would like more information about this event, please email idea38852@yahoo.com.
Also on Saturday, November 12th IDEA is excited to present its 5th annual Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Iuka. Beginning at 11 a.m. the parade is a county-wide event to honor the Veterans of our area. Make plans to join us as we recognize local heroes who have served our country. Everyone is invited to attend this special event which will take place Downtown Iuka.
William Thurman Epps named Grand Marshal of Veterans Day Parade
Our parade Grand Marshall will be William Thurman Epps, a U. S. Army veteran.
This excellent article on Mr. Epps was written by Jerry McAnally. Thanks to Belmont’s Catherine Mitchell for sharing it.
William Thurman Epps, one of seven children, was born on July 12, 1926. While too young to remember much about the start of The Great Depression, he does remember the hard times that dragged along until World War II. To travel anywhere was to walk. He certainly remembers the 1940s rationing. As a farm boy, much of his walking was behind a mule in corn and cotton fields.
Like most boys, Thurman wanted a rifle. His dad gave him enough time off to work for a neighbor to purchase a used, single-shot .22 rifle.  He worked six days for 50 cents a day to pay for the three-dollar rifle. He also came to own a used bicycle when he was seventeen. War had already commenced.
Shortly after his eighteenth birthday, he received the Uncle Sam greeting and was drafted into the US Army. His basic training was in Florida. Soon he was on his way to Germany.  
His overseas trip lasted fifteen days to arrive at English Harbor near London, England. From there, he went across the English Channel to Le Havre, France which was already occupied by Germany. He was considered a replacement in the 1st Division of the 26th Infantry, known as the Bloody Red 1.
Thurman advanced rapidly to the rank of platoon sergeant which is a four-stripe sergeant. It was obvious that the quiet man from Golden had upside potential in the military should he have chosen. His closest call was when he was sleeping in a tent, and a German bullet passed through. He stated that had he been sitting up, the bullet would have struck him.
In all, Thurman served thirty-nine months which included four waivers (extensions).
An absolutely spell-binding aspect of his service was during the Nuremberg trials. These trials were for Nazi war criminals. One time, he was directed to choose three men to assist in delivering three Germans who were guilty of machine-gunning Allied prisoners of war.  The men were told to keep their guns loaded as they delivered the three prisoners for trial at Nuremberg. He states that these three were never seen again. In all, there were about 20,000 Nazi war prisoners at a place called long Vassa. While Thurman saw the gallows there and could have witnessed the execution of war criminals, he declined.
After the war in Europe ended and he was on a ship headed back to New York, a powerful storm on the Atlantic struck. For five days, the anchor was down. Most on board were violently ill. One time in the chow line, a very sick soldier vomited on Thurman’s meal---no lunch that day!  
As the skies cleared and the voyage continued, they came upon a capsized cargo ship.  They stood by the capsized ship until additional help could arrive.
From New York, he was sent to Ft. Dix, New Jersey, to complete his tour and discharge. He was awarded the victory medal, good conduct medal, one battle star, and two citations.
Thurman took advantage of the GI Bill by studying farming.
In 1947, Thurman met the love of his life, Nita Nix, at a Tishomingo State Park dance. They were married on January 6, 1950. Nita had been working for Omar J. Bullen at Red Bay Wholesale. She later taught for eight years at Dennis School. After the Dennis School was consolidated into Belmont School, Nita chose to take a job at L.P Allen & Sons Hardware replacing the leaving Lestine Fowler in 1959.
After Thurman gave up on farming, he took a job at Blue Bell where he worked for 23 years.  He retired in 1982. The Epps built their home in Golden, designed by Nita in 1959. Sadly, Nita died in January 1997.
At age 96, Thurman does his own outdoor work---says it keeps him out of the recliner. If you know anything about Thurman, you know how neat his home and grounds are.
Thurman never has anything bad to say about anyone---nor do I hear from others about him. He is liked by everyone. He quietly served overtime voluntarily in our country’s service. He is a model citizen who has more than paid his dues. He is deserving of our admiration and respect. My wishes for many happy returns, Thurman!