Forging Alliances

PART 1 — THE AIRPORT THAT WAS ABOUT TO DISAPPEAR

Meridian, Mississippi — 1930.

The Great Depression had hit Meridian hard.

Money was scarce. Businesses were struggling. And the city faced a difficult decision:

Meridian Municipal Airport might have to close.

But two brothers, Al and Fred Key, weren't ready to let that happen.

They believed the airport could be saved—but they needed something extraordinary.

Their plan?

Take an airplane called the Ole Miss into the sky and attempt to break the world endurance-flight record.

The idea was simple.

The ex*****on was anything but.

To remain airborne, the Keys would have to repeatedly refuel the airplane while it was flying.

And that created a terrifying problem.

In those early days of aerial refueling, gasoline could spill from the fuel hose onto an aircraft's hot engine.

One spark…

One splash…

One mistake…

And the airplane could become a fireball in the sky.

The Keys needed someone who could solve a problem that had never been solved before.

Someone who understood engines.

Someone who understood machines.

Someone who could build something that simply could not fail.

Their search led them to a highly skilled Meridian mechanic and master machinist:

A.D. Hunter.

And what Hunter built would change aviation history.

But first… he had to figure out how to make gasoline behave safely in the sky.

Tomorrow, the Meridian mechanic takes on a problem that could determine whether the Keys' daring mission succeeds—or ends in flames.

PART 2 IS COMING…

Honoring Those Who Served

Yesterday, Forging Alliances and the Stronger Together Foundation had the honor of spending time with some incredible veterans and their spouses at Brookdale Assisted Living.

It was a privilege to provide BBQ plates to them, and simply say THANK YOU for the sacrifices they and their families have made for our country.

Every veteran has a story. Every sacrifice matters. And no matter how much time passes, we should never forget those who raised their right hand and answered the call to serve.

We remember. We honor. We say thank you.

Forging Alliances — Stronger Together.
Freedom

THE COSTS OF FREEDOM

From Meridian to Rosie the Riveter: A Mississippi Connection to the Cost of Freedom!

When we talk about the Cost of Freedom, we often think about the men and women who wore the uniform and went into battle. But the story of freedom is much bigger than the battlefield.
During World War II, more than six million American women stepped into factories, shipyards, offices and other vital jobs to help keep America moving. They built airplanes, ships, weapons and the equipment our service members needed to fight for freedom.
And one of the most recognizable symbols of those women became Rosie the Riveter.
But there is an incredible Meridian connection to the story.
The name “Rosie the Riveter” became famous through the 1942 patriotic song written by Redd Evans, who was born Louis Evans in Meridian, Mississippi, on July 6, 1912.
A young boy from Meridian would eventually make his way to Chicago and New York, where he became one of the prolific songwriters of the World War II era. His words helped give a name and a voice to the millions of American women who answered the call to serve their country on the home front.
That means the story of Rosie the Riveter isn't just American history—it has a Meridian connection.
From the factories and shipyards of America to the battlefields around the world, an entire generation came together. Soldiers fought. Families sacrificed. Women entered the workforce. Communities supported the war effort. And Americans from every corner of the nation played a role in preserving the freedoms we enjoy today.
On July 29, 2026, Jeanne Gibson, one of the women who became an iconic representative of the World War II Rosie the Riveter generation, passed away at the age of 100.
Her passing is a reminder that the generation that helped win World War II is disappearing, and with them goes a living connection to one of the most important chapters in our nation's history.
That is why remembering matters.
As we prepare for the 250 Years of Freedom – Cost of Freedom Tribute in Meridian, we aren't simply looking backward. We are honoring the men and women who paid the price for the freedoms we have today—and telling the stories of those who served on the battlefield and those who served on the home front.
From Louis Evans of Meridian to Rosie the Riveter… from the factories of America to the battlefields of World War II… their stories are all part of the Cost of Freedom.
We remember. We honor. We never forget.
🇺🇸 250 Years of Freedom — The Cost of Freedom Tribute
Meridian, Mississippi | October 8–11, 2026

Tune into “Forging Alliances!” sponsored by ROPE Solutions! with Tony Malone and Mike Couch! or LIVE Stream from the SuperTalk Mississippi App!

🇺🇸 Calling on Our Meridian Small Business Community! 🇺🇸

Get your support yard sign today!
Forging Alliances is inviting local small businesses to partner with us in bringing the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall & Cost of Freedom Tribute to Meridian's Veterans Park as we celebrate 250 years of American freedom.
If you're a local business looking for a meaningful way to show your support for our veterans, consider sponsoring this incredible event and proudly displaying a Support Our Veterans yard sign at your business. It's a visible way to let our veterans and community know you stand with them.
The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall & Cost of Freedom Tribute is a powerful exhibit featuring a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and displays honoring the sacrifices of America's service members. It provides a place for remembrance, education, healing, and gratitude for veterans, their families, and our community.
Your sponsorship helps make this tribute possible while demonstrating your commitment to those who have defended our freedoms. Together, we can honor our heroes, educate future generations, and make this event a lasting success.
If your business would like to partner with Forging Alliances or reserve a support yard sign, we'd love to hear from you.
Let's come together to celebrate 250 years of freedom by honoring those who made it possible. 🇺🇸

What an incredible Fourth of July celebration! 🇺🇸
Supertalk Meridian 103.3 Forging Alliances team, Tony and Mike had a wonderful time participating in the 4 of July patriotic parade and celebrating America's 250 years of freedom with our community.
One of the most inspiring moments of the day was witnessing a group of young adults take the oath of enlistment, administered by Dusty Culpepper, as they took their first step toward serving our nation. It was a powerful reminder that freedom is never free.
Tony and I also had the opportunity to share the mission of Forging Alliances and invite everyone to the Cost of Freedom Traveling Tribute, coming to East Mississippi Veterans Park here in Meridian on October 8–11. This inspiring tribute will honor the men and women who have defended our freedoms throughout our nation's history.
We wrapped up the day enjoying great entertainment, spending time with friends, and watching an amazing fireworks display.
Thank you to everyone who made this Independence Day celebration so special. We look forward to seeing you October 8–11 as we come together to Honor, Remember, and Inspire. 🇺🇸

Independence Day,250 years of freedom! Happy 4th of July.

Today, as we celebrate the birth of our nation, may the Stars and Stripes wave proudly as a symbol of freedom, sacrifice, and hope.
Every flag tells a story—of the brave men and women who defended our liberties, the families who stood beside them, and the generations who continue to cherish the blessings of living in the United States.
As you raise Old Glory today, take a moment to remember those who gave everything so we could live free. Honor their sacrifice by living with gratitude, serving others, and never taking our freedoms for granted.
God bless our veterans, our active-duty military, our first responders, and the United States of America.

250 years of freedom Happy 4th of July


Home Instead Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Solutions

National PTSD Awareness Day is a United States observance dedicated to increasing public understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), encouraging early recognition, reducing stigma, and promoting access to treatment and support. Observed annually on June 27, it highlights that PTSD can affect people from many backgrounds-- including military veterans, first responders, survivors of violence, accidents, disasters, and other traumatic experiences--and emphasizes that effective treatments are available.
Purpose
The observance promotes education, awareness, and support surrounding PTSD.