Stars and stripes
By Staff
Veteran's Day parade set for Saturday
Melissa Cason
A Veteran's Day parade will be held Saturday in downtown Russellville.
In order to remember those who served our country, the American Legion and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Veteran's Day parade and program tomorrow afternoon.
Cheryl Bradford, executive director of the chamber, said World War II prisoner of war Oland Searcy will serve as the grand marshal of the parade.
The parade will include fire departments, boy scouts and members of the Cedar Creek Gold Wings motorcycle club.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Big Star and will continue along Jackson Ave. to the Franklin County Courthouse, where a Veteran's Day program will be presented.
"The ceremony at the courthouse will include comments from guest speaker Brig. Gen. Frederick J. Johnson," Bradford said.
There will be a tribute to soldiers lost in combat.
There will also be a Chinook Cargo helicopter flyover during the parade.
American Legion Commander James Wilson worked with Bradford to secure guests and speakers for the event.
"This is the second year we have had the parade," Wilson said. "We want it to pay tribute to those who have served our country."
Bradford said after the program at the courthouse, the public is invited to a reception at the Chamber office, located on Jackson Ave.
"We are going to have a reception afterwards, and we'd like to invite everyone to attend the event."
Bradford said they would be accepting entries into the parade up until the parade begins at 2 p.m.
"If you want to be in the parade, just call the chamber or show up at Big Star and we'll get you in the line up somewhere."
