By Nathan Straus
nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Area military personnel are asked to submit their names to be grand marshal for the Jacksonville Christmas Parade on Dec. 3 — its theme will be “The American Soldier.”
Melody Walters, a parade coordinator, said past and present military personnel are invited.
“Last year, we had about 148 entries, and we’re expecting about that many this year,” Walters said. “We would like to see as many as possible.”
Those from the military are encouraged to wear their uniforms while on the CJ’s Quick Stop-sponsored grand marshal float in the parade.
Roy Johnson, owner of CJ’s, said as a retired Navy serviceman with a son active in the Marine Corps, military service is important to him.
He said the cost of getting the float up to a patriotic standard is not important to him.
“We’re going to represent Jacksonville and the U.S. armed forces in an exemplary manner,” he said.
Johnson said the float, which will be constructed using his trailer and truck, will feature patriotic songs and Christmas lights.
Walters said anyone wanting to participate in the parade as a grand marshal can contact her at 903-284-0010 or show up at the parade. The meeting point for those in the military will be the old police department building behind the Austin Bank drive-through. Participants should try to arrive by 5:15 p.m. The parade begins at 6 p.m. She said the theme is a tribute to the military and those serving.
“Sometimes, we get so busy we forget why they’re here,” she said.
It will be free to participate in the parade and to attend it. Those who attend are encouraged to show as much red, white and blue as possible and to bring American flags to wave.
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November 18, 2009
‘Tis (almost) the season
Chamber seeks military members as Christmas parade grand marshal
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Aircraft lifted from Lake Palestine
Official from the Anderson Department of Public Safety pulled the aircraft that crashed into the lake Wednesday from Lake Palestine on Friday afternoon.
The Varga Aircraft found in Lake Palestine has been lifted from the water Friday afternoon. The missing pilot, Fred Scholz, has not been found and the search mission continued.
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