City to honor veterans

A group of local residents are planning to have a Veterans Day Parade that will honor the area’s former servicemen and servicewomen.

Robert Dotson, who retired from the U.S. Army, said he hopes the non-profit ceremony and parade will turn into an annual event for Hartselle.

“This is a non-profit event to honor and recognize Hartselle area veterans for their service to our nation and give them a welcome home that they deserve and never got,” Dotson said.

Lee Greene Jr., the chairman of the Veterans Day Parade Committee, told the City Council Monday night that they are getting help from the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce and other volunteers to help plan this event.

“We’ve already gotten a lot of help from it,” Greene said. “We hope to have a lot of people turn out for this event.”

The event will begin at 10:50 a.m. in front of the Hartselle Historic Depot when the Hartselle High School Band will play an opening music number. Then Mayor Dwight Tankersley will offer a welcome to the audience.

“Taps” will be played promptly at 11 a.m. to honor all fallen veterans followed by the singing of the national anthem.

A guest speaker will address the crowd during the brief program. The parade will begin at 11:30 p.m., which starts on Main Street at Railroad Street and continue through historic downtown.

Morgan County Cattlemen will also serve free hot dogs.

The parade will also feature an honor float. Dotson said only veterans are allowed to ride on this float.

Dotson said anyone who’d like to have a float or another entry in the parade can do so at no cost. He asked that the free parade applications be turned in by Nov. 4, but he said late entries would be accepted. Parade lineup will be at 10 a.m.

For more information, call Dotson at 256-221-4302.