I spent several years on the MS Gulf Coast in the 1980s.
I got here in '86 via an assignment to Keesler. Spent my last 12 years active duty here, then worked on the base in civil service for 15 more. Prefer climates with 4 real seasons but the wife hates the cold so we decided to stay as long as we could put beans on the table - there are worse places to live.....as long as another Katrina doesn't come along. Local news shows a class saying the Pledge of Allegiance each morning and teachers aren't afraid to let folks know they're Christian. Lots of Blacks (despite us being a stone-age racist State) carried Romney signs around during his failed campaign and I noticed a number with Trump stickers/signs.
Like I said - there are worse places to live.