While a large crowd gathered on the Hamilton Street median to wave flags and cheer on the Veterans Day Parade, Arnold Adams was quiet.
Adams, who drove from Hixson, Tenn., to spend the day with family, said Veterans Day is “always bittersweet.”
“My father served in the Korean War (as a pilot) and I fought in the Army during Vietnam,” Adams said. “I didn’t see as much of the war as other guys did, but it was still something I carry. I always try to come to something on Veterans Day just to remind myself how important our armed forces are. We’re all free because of them.”
Freedom is also why Iliana Hernandez of Chatsworth came to the parade.
“I just really want to thank them all (the veterans),” Hernandez said. “It really gets me thinking. Most people are nice around here, but sometimes someone will see my (Hispanic) heritage and give me a look or say something that makes me feel like I’m not part of this community. You know, I’m sort of glad they can do that. I’m glad we can live in a country where everyone can voice their beliefs, even if I really disagree with it.”
The freedom to disagree is important, said Adams.
“Some people are upset about it (the election) and others aren’t,” he said, “It’s still an election. It’s still freedom. We (America) disagree on a lot of things, but at least we can disagree without worrying about it. I’m glad we can argue about this president or that president and then go out and have a parade with all these wonderful bands.”
Marching bands from Coahulla Creek, Dalton, Murray County, North Murray, Northwest Whitfield and Southeast Whitfield high schools could be seen and heard throughout downtown.
“We’re having a great time listening to them,” said Jennifer Holly, whose great-uncle, Tom Phipps, was honored at the parade as the veteran of the year for his service in the Korean War. “We came out today to see him and also because we love parades.”
Phipps was a paratrooper in the 111st Airborne who would “do anything for anyone,” said Larry Wells, who was stationed with the Army in Germany during the Vietnam War.
“He’s my wife’s uncle and a great man,” he said. “He’s very active in the American Legion, goes to all the reunions, or parades like this one.”
George Lo Greco, parade director, said Phipps was honored as the veteran of the year because “he’s still more active then most young people.”
“He always takes veterans up to clinics in Knoxville, to Murfreesboro, to Atlanta, to Rome,” Lo Greco said. “He doesn’t even mind the hard-mouth, rough-speaking veterans. He is a dedicated servant. If something needs to get done, Tom does it. We’re 20 years late in honoring him because he really has been hard working for a long time.”
Lo Greco said Phipps was honored in June at the American Legion state convention in Duluth as the state veteran of the year.
“Overall, I think the parade was a success,” Randy Cantrell, Lisa’s husband and photographer for the parade, said. “They did a good job. Hopefully it will grow and grow and get better each year. I know they’ve worked hard on it.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Don Gray carries the American flag as he marches with American Legion Post 112 Saturday. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
Madison Palmer, 16, plays a flute as she marches with the Southeast High band Saturday. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
Jane Adams, widow of Pfc. Allen J. Cagle, wipes away tears as she stands with her husband James Adams during the ceremony in Murray County Saturday. Four ball fields were dedicated to soldiers from Murray County killed in action in Vietnam. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
Wendy Hunt sings a patriotic song Saturday in Murray County. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
Dalton Mayor David Pennington hands out American flags as he walks with the parade Saturday. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
Harold "Sarge" Tankersley salutes the flag during the Veterans Day ceremony in Murray County Saturday. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
Girl Scouts and their family members carry a huge flag in the parade Saturday. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
Jayah Kennebrew, 8, left, and her sister Asia, 7, wave flags as they watch the parade Saturday. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
Brooke Brewer, 17, waves a flag as she marches with the North Murray High School band Saturday. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
Discussion
‘We’re all free because of them’
Veterans Day Parade honors service men and women
- Local News
-
-
Police and Fire Games: Dalton firefighter snags second place
Mason Martin, back right, cheers on his mother, Serena Martin, an officer with the Dalton Police Department, as she pushes a patrol car as part of an obstacle course to determine the “Toughest Overall” during the Georgia Police and Fire Games on Monday at the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Department’s firing range. (Misty Watson/The Daily Citizen)
A seasoned Dalton firefighter placed second in the Toughest Overall Competitor event at the Police and Fire Games in Dalton on Monday.
Continued ... - County school board expected to approve budget Wednesday morning
- Electric vehicle charging stations coming to Dalton
- Brochu leaving position in S.C.
- DPD seeks identity of cigarette snatcher
- Minding their P's and Q's
- Whitfield CERT members reach 141 after seventh class graduates
- Local agency can guide you through homebuying process
- Spring Place Ruritan Club receives awards
- Jun 16, 2013
- Ridley trades banking for farming
- Pilsbury diary to be unveiled at Bandy Heritage Center
- Blue Ridge wins Georgia Safe Routes to School award
- Dalton to host Police and Fire Games this week
- Phyllis Stephens: Building community leadership capacity
- Jun 15, 2013
- Ball for fathers and daughters
-
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
