By Jennifer R. Hill
Registration has begun for the 2nd Annual Athens Veterans Day parade. The parade, to be held Nov. 7, will include veterans belonging to the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans, said parade organizer Roxanne Haggermaker.
Haggermaker’s father, Roger Keyes is Commander of the V.F.W. and served in the Army and National Guard, and several family members have been in the military.
“I believe in supporting our veterans because without them where would we be?,” she said.
The proceeds from this year’s parade will go towards the sponsorship of area families of deployed soldiers during the holidays.
Fees for entry are $20 now and $25 after Oct. 23. There will be decoration awards for best car, best truck, best float and most patriotic.
There were about 124 entries for last year’s parade and they hope to have an even larger parade this year, Haggermaker said.
She and fellow organizers are challenging the community to participate.
“We would like organizations and businesses to sponsor veterans with floats,” she said. “We want to keep on doing this as long as we will have people to come out to watch.”
To register for the parade or to help, contact Haggermaker at (256) 374-2073 or Robin Clem at (256) 874-1033.
