According Marty Fisher — who helped organize and present the Athens-Limestone County 2024 Veterans Day Parade for AMVETS AL Post 21 — everyday is, and should be, Veterans Day.

For 365 days a year, the Athens-based veterans service organization has made the conscientious effort to recognize and serve the brave men and women who have fought for our country — and on Monday, Nov. 11, the community joined in to cheer on those efforts.

“Veterans Day is the one day a year our veterans are properly recognized,” Fisher, the spouse of AMVETS AL Post 21 First Vice Commander Jeffrey Fisher said. “It’s very important for our community to remember what all they sacrificed for each and every person in the United States. It was great to see all of the community support that came out, from residents to business owners, to be a part of the parade.”

The 37-unit procession, which consisted of marching bands, tractors, trailers and even armored motor vehicles, gathered at Athens High School before traversing through downtown Athens.

Countless Athens residents lined the sidewalks around the Square near the Limestone County Courthouse and Athens City Hall to encourage and motivate parade participants.

“This is the second year that the AMVETS have been in charge of the parade,” Fisher said. “There’s still a bit of a learning curve, but we have had great support from the community and Wild Hearts Cowboy Carriage Ride — who carries our parade grand marshal every year.”

The 2024 Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal was Glen Whited, a U.S. Air Force Veteran from Athens, who was accompanied by his wife, Carol Whited, in an all-white, horse-drawn carriage at the front of the motorcade.

Outside of a 30-minute delay caused by a train that was stopped on the tracks that run through downtown Athens, the parade went on without a hitch as the Athens Police Department coordinated with CSX to resolve the issue.

“I was able to join several other residents in watching the parade from city hall,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “We can not thank the veterans enough for their sacrifice and service, and for their families as well. They did what they did out of the love for their country, so the least we can do is show them that love right back.”