Page 69 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2026

enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and Gold Star families.
“We understand the sacrifices, the missed holidays, the long shifts, and the impact service can have on families because we’ve lived it ourselves,” Bourgeois said.
That connection between service and business ownership is something seen often across the Coast.
Jeff Harris, owner of Harris Home Inspections, recently retired after 23 years with the Jackson County Fire Department before launching his inspection business. Today, he continues offering discounts for military members and first responders while building his company around the same trust and dependability that defined his firefighting career.
Whether responding to emergencies or helping families navigate one of the largest investments of their lives, Harris said the mission has always centered around showing up for people when they need help most.
For Phillip Natale, owner of MiniFarm Barns, supporting veterans and first responders also comes from personal experience. Natale served 12 years in the military, while his father completed two tours in Vietnam.
“EMTs, officers, and firefighters make sacrifices daily,” Natale said. “Long hours, not enough pay sometimes, and they put their lives at risk helping people.”
Natale said military members and first responders always receive the best discounts through his business because he believes service deserves recognition and support.
Across South Mississippi, many businesses continue finding their own ways to show appreciation.
At Fleur De Lis Bar & Grill, military members and first responders receive ongoing discounts as a gesture of gratitude for their service. Several Coast hotels also offer appreciation programs and discounted rates for military personnel, veterans, and emergency workers, including The Inn at Long Beach, Hotel Vela, and Centennial Plaza Resort.
Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast participates in PENN Heroes, a program offering discounts and rewards for veterans, active-duty military members, and first responders.
The Coast’s military and first responder culture runs deep, SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
which may explain why many of these gestures feel so natural. With nearby military installations, active hurricane seasons, and strong ties to law enforcement and emergency services, South Mississippians understand how much communities rely on the people willing to answer difficult calls, work long shifts, and show up during emergencies.
No discount or free meal can fully repay the sacrifices made by military members, veterans, and first responders. Still, businesses across South Mississippi continue proving that gratitude does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it simply looks like showing up for the people who spend their lives showing up for everyone else.
Centennial Plaza
Taylor Bourgeois
July 2026 | 69