The 2003 Memorial Day Parade: Pride and Patriotism Is Back

We're going to have a fine, old-fashioned Memorial Day parade and program in Gainesville next Monday, on the Memorial Day holiday, The parade will start at 10 a.m. and move right down historic Green Street, and the program will begin at I p.m. on the Green Street side of the new Hall County Courthouse. And if nothing else, it reminds us of something we haven't focused on recently; that Memorial Day is a national holiday for a reason.

Some interesting things have already come out as preparations have taken place for this event. Partly, I suspect, because of the War in Iraq, we were focused on our American military and the role it has always played in our freedom. Patriotism had already been moved up a notch with the events in Afghanistan. I personally think we all changed immediately following the brutal attack on America on 9-11. Some say we "woke up."

It was more than a year ago now that the guys at the American Legion began planning for a small parade on Memorial Day 2003. That was the way it began. But Gene Shadburn, the one from Post 7 who volunteered to head it up, will tell you it soon became obvious the people of Northeast Georgia were more than ready to stand up and say "We're Proud To Be An American." Robert Young, from Post 551 will tell you the same thing. The local Garden Clubs were working on getting a highway designated as a Blue Star highway to honor past and present servicemen. Memorial Park was working with the City of Gainesville on a memorial for those lost in 9-11. Several other groups were planning patriotic activities.

It all came together, and next weekend will be a true "Proud To Be An American" weekend in this area. At 3:30 next Sunday, on the highway in front of Gainesville College, a Blue Star marker will be dedicated and Hall County will have its first Blue Star highway. At 10 a.m. next Monday there will be a huge hometown parade down Green Street. And at 1 p.m. that day, at the Courthouse, a ceremony will feature almost all or the top political figures of the State of Georgia. It's going to be a big weekend. It looks like Pride and Patriotism are back. We hope you will be there.

This is Gordon Sawyer, from a window on historic Green Street.