FLOWERY BRANCH - National Marina Day celebrated Gainesville's own Iraqi war veterans Saturday at Aqualand Marina.
Members of the 802nd Ordnance Company handled hot dogs and hamburgers instead of explosives and Aqualand was much cooler and much more friendly than their deployment to Iraq.
Sergeant Tonya Brooks Dixon recalled it was a lot hotter in the war zone, under very different circumstances.
"Sometimes when you're over there you think people forget so this is just really nice to be honored like this", Dixon said.
The 802nd went on parade as part of the celebration, this time in t-shirts and shorts, carrying balloons with their families.
The Marina Operators of Lake Lanier wanted to honor the Gainesville based army unit for their service in Iraq according to Kirby Scheimann, Marina Operators President.
"...one thing led to another and 20 committee meetings later here we are today," Scheimann said.
Thursday
June 26th, 2025
12:31AM
