Preparations are under way for the annual Yazoo City Christmas Parade, and there are a few changes that citizens need to be aware of this year.

The city of Yazoo City will hold the parade on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Oh Christmas Tree.”

John Copeland wipes tears from his face at times while talking about the U.S.S. Heywood, a former World War II cargo-passenger liner he served on for three years.

To Copeland, the Heywood was more than a ship in the military’s amphibious forces.

The late Griffin Norquist Sr. was a dedicated family man, a true gentleman, a committed attorney and an unselfish community leader.

But he was also a hero.