- Vicksburg attorney Mack Varner, a member of the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag, displays the “In God We Trust” flag — now the official state flag of Mississippi — outside of his Vicksburg law office. (Terri Cowart Frazier/The Vicksburg Post)
Year in Review: Vicksburg at the forefront of changing state’s history
This is part of a series by the staff of The Vicksburg Post looking back at the top stories of 2020.
History was made when Mississippi voters went to the polls on Nov. 3 and cast their ballots in favor of a new state flag.
The “In God We Trust” flag, which is anchored by a magnolia blossom in the center, was supported by more than 78 percent of registered voters statewide and in Warren County the margin was similar.
Vicksburg’s support of the new flag was reflected by three of its own, who were involved in the process of retiring the former 126-year-old state flag with the Confederate Battle Flag imagery.
Prior to Gov. Tate Reeves signing House Bill 1796 that retired the old flag, Vicksburg native Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Vicksburg resident and State Sen. Briggs Hopson III were instrumental in getting the legislation passed and the former flag retired.
In an effort to design the new flag that would be placed on the ballot and voted on by Mississippi voters, a nine-member commission was appointed with Vicksburg resident Mack Varner serving as one of the appointees.
After being chosen, Varner said, “This was a heck of a responsibility and a very grave responsibility that we get it right. This flag is going to make a lasting change forever for generations from now. This is one historical event.”
About Terri Cowart Frazier
Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”
Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.
Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.
Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.
“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’
More by Terri Cowart
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