Veterans parade set for Friday
Robert Dotson is hoping the inaugural Hartselle Veterans Day Parade will give all veterans, especially those from the Korean and Vietnam wars, the recognition they deserve.
“We want this to be the welcome home they never got,” said Dotson, who is the parade committee’s co-chair. “This is for all veterans, but especially for those who fought in Korea and Vietnam.”
To that end, the grand marshals of the parade will be Korean Air Force veteran Sue Nelson, Vietnam Army veteran George Hearring and Iraq-Afghanistan veteran Mark Morgan.
The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. that morning, when the Morgan County Cattlemen will begin cooking free hot dogs for all attendees. The Hartselle High School band will begin playing around 10:30 a.m. with a welcome from Mayor Dwight Tankersley at 10:55 a.m.
The “Armistice Hour ceremony” will begin promptly at 11 a.m. with the playing of “Taps” followed by the national anthem and the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
Other speakers include State Rep. Ed Henry (an Air Force veteran), retired Army Col. Ferrell Vest and Doug Moss with a poem about Vietnam.
At the conclusion of the ceremony around 11:30 a.m., a parade will begin at Railroad and Main Street and head west to Hickory Street and return back to the starting point.
Dotson said the Falkville and Danville high school bands are also planning to participate.
Dotson also encouraged all veterans to ride or walk in the parade.
“We’ll have an honor float for veterans,” Dotson said. “It’s first come, first served. You’re more than welcome to walk if we run out of room.”
Dotson said anyone who’d like to have a float or another entry in the parade can do so at no cost. Parade lineup will be at 10 a.m. Anyone who would like to enter a float should call Dotson at 256-221-4302 to reserve a spot.
In addition to Dotson, members of the parade committee are Lee Y. Greene Jr., Cleo Stubbs (U.S. Army veteran), Dwaine Howard (U.S. Air Force veteran), Gene Wilson (U.S. Army veteran), George Miller (.U.S. Marine Corps veteran), Brian White (U.S. Navy veteran) and Susie McEuen (.U.S. Air Force veteran).
