Annual Veterans Day parade set for Saturday

The 14th annual Veterans Day Parade is set to return Nov. 6 to downtown Hartselle. A patriotic program honoring military veterans will kick off at 10 a.m. in front of the historic depot, followed by the parade at 11 a.m. For those interested in participating in the parade, a release form for each entry is required.

Lee Y. Greene, Jr., organizer of the Hartselle Veter-ans Day Parade, expressed gratitude for the community’s support in making the event a beloved town tradition. The parade started 14 years ago, inspired by a PBS series on the Vietnam War. Greene, alongside veterans Robert Dotson and Cleo Stubbs, wanted to ensure that Hartselle never missed an opportunity to honor veterans, after hearing stories of mistreatment upon their return home. The city eventually recognized the parade as an official event, helping it grow to include 6-8 floats, antique cars, high school bands, and scouting groups, all while remaining free for participants.

Col. Michael Snyder, Retired Army Colonel, will deliver a speech during the patriotic program. The Veterans Parade program not only welcomes veterans home but also encourages the participation of various groups, including the HHS Civil Air Patrol and the Decatur ROTC units, who partake in combined marches. Sgt. Jared McKelvy will serve as the grand marshal. Through the years, it has become a selfsustaining event, though it still requires effort for permitting and spreading the word.

The parade will commence on Railroad Street and proceed along Main Street. For more details, contact Greene at 256-773-2304.