Veterans Day parade set for Thursday
Since schools and many businesses will close on Friday in observance of Veterans’ Day, many communities will hold celebrations on Thursday to honor those who fought, served and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
In Russellville, American Legion Post 64, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post and the ROTC program at Russellville High School will sponsor events all day long that will culminate in a parade at 1:30 p.m.
Lt. Col. Grant Atkins, who recently retired with 30 years of service in the military and now serves as the commander of American Legion Post 64, said the day’s events are just a way to show honor and respect for the men and women who have done so much for America.
“It is only right for us to honor those who have interrupted their lives to go and serve for us and make sure that we have the freedoms we have today,” Atkins said. “We are blessed to have many veterans here in Franklin County and we hope they will all come out for Thursday’s events.”
He added that with the recent departure of the 115th Signal Battalion to train for their upcoming, year-long tour of duty in Afghanistan, this year’s Veterans’ Day festivities would have even more meaning to some in the community.
“Many people in our area are without a member of their family right now as those men and women prepare to serve our country in Afghanistan,” he said. “We want this to be a special time for them as well.”
To make the day even more special, Atkins said they would also host a meal for the first time this year in addition to the other activities, which include a program at the RHS Auditorium at 9:45 a.m.; lunch for veterans, their families and families of currently deployed service members at the A.W. Todd Centre at 11 a.m.; a program featuring Phil Campbell High School graduate Col. Ray Hester who served in Vietnam at noon; and the parade in downtown Russellville at 1:30 p.m.
“We want to invite all veterans to attend these events and we hope everyone in the community will come out to the parade and show their support for these veterans,” Atkins said.
