The ceremony at Jones Park included a flyover from a Hurricane Hunter, military honors as well as speeches from state and local leaders. Former Gov. Haley Barbour, who received a standing ovation, recounted the devastation he saw from a helicopter the day after the storm.
“It looked like the hand of God had wiped away the Coast,” Barbour said. “Utter obliteration.”
Officials said the event was meant to both memorialize the 238 Mississippians who lost their lives and to recognize the resilience that followed.
Gov. Tate Reeves said the state’s recovery demonstrated Mississippi’s determination.
“Hurricane Katrina proved that Mississippi and her people might can be knocked down, but we cannot be beat,” Reeves said. “Together, we proved you should never bet against Mississippi.”
Speakers also emphasized the role of first responders, volunteers and military units who came to Mississippi’s aid.
Maj. Gen. Bobby Ginn Jr., Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, said the anniversary reminded him disasters aren’t just fought abroad, but also at home, and that resilience depends on unity.
“We prove that no disaster, natural, man-made, environmental, or biological can defeat a people bound by service, sacrifice, and strength,” Ginn Jr. said.
Gulfport Mayor Hugh Keating, whose home took in eight feet of water during the storm, said he didn’t know until now the sheer scare of the volunteer force that assisted with rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“It was 960,000 people that came from all parts of the United States and the world, for that matter, to come to our aid to show us that we can do something about it, what true humanity and brotherhood and working together means and meant,” Keating said. “We are so blessed.”
Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, connected Katrina’s story to other tragedies, specifically wildfires in her home state of Hawaii that destroyed the city of Lahaina. She said in both cases, a sense of unity was indispensable for communities to heal.
“We will always remember those who were lost, but my hope is that we remain inspired as we stand here 20 years later by what came after and remember the unity that we felt,” Gabbard said.
The commemoration ended with a wreath laying, as state and local leaders reiterated their commitment to carrying the lessons from Katrina into the future.
