Renovations continue to the house on the corner of 23rd Avenue and 19th Street in Meridian. It will eventually be the home of a new veterans center.

The project is a partnership between the Red Cross, Lauderdale County, the city of Meridian, and many local businesses to serve area veterans' needs.

"We service a seven-county area. We probably have close to 25,000 veterans in that seven-county area," said executive director Cheri Barry.
In the state of Mississippi we have over 200,000 veterans so this project is to serve any veteran that comes through in need."

Officials say work is about 40 percent complete on the new center.

At the moment, those renovations are confined to the exterior of the home. Plans include a bricked walkway of honor outside the center. Those bricks will be available for purchase.

"This is a very special project. Every year during Christmas when you can give by giving a gift of a brick for a veteran in your family, either past or present," said Barry. "The bricks are going to sell for $50.00 and we're going to for a memorial walkway of honor. You can put on the brick your veteran or loved ones name, their service years, and make a contribution to the veterans center in their honor."

The center will house all veteran resources needed under one roof. Other plans include a library and a computer room.

Plans are to also relocate the Lauderdale County veterans officer to this location. Work is still needed to the interior of the house and some landscaping outside.

Plans are to have the center completed and open by May 2008, in time for Memorial Day.