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Murray County's first Veterans Parade draws many participants, spectators

The Daily Citizen - 11/4/2018

Nov. 04--CHATSWORTH -- Superior Court Clerk of Court Donna Flood admits that the rain and cool temperatures of the last few days had her worried.

Flood was one of the organizers of Murray County's first Veterans Day Parade.

"I wasn't sure if the weather would cooperate with us," she said. "But it did. This is just about perfect."

By the time the parade kicked off at 1 p.m., the sky was clear, the temperature was in the low 70s and people were lining the parade route along Third Avenue/U.S. Highway 411.

"This is long overdue," said Chatsworth resident Tony Fox. "This community does so much to support veterans. I can't believe we haven't had a parade before."

The parade may have been Murray County's first, but it drew a large crowd of both spectators and participants.

"We had 41 entrants on the paperwork," said Flood. "But we had a few at the last minute, and I think the final number was 45."

The parade included the marching bands from both Murray County High and North Murray High schools; local Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts; participants from American Legion Post 167, Murray County 4-H Club members, the Murray County Veterans Memorial Committee, patrol cars from the Murray County Sheriff's Office, the Chatsworth Police and the Eton Police departments; fire trucks from the Murray County Fire and the Chatsworth Fire departments, Hamilton Emergency Medical Service, Murray Emergency Medical Service, the Echota Vann Shrine Club, numerous motorcycle riders and classic cars and several businesses and churches.

The sidewalk in front of the courthouse was lined with American flags, Georgia flags, POW/MIA flags and the flags of all four branches of the American armed forces. And as the parade passed by the flags, many of those marching or riding turned to salute the American flag.

Chatsworth resident Amy Harrington said her daughter was marching in the color guard for Murray County High School.

"It's a grand day for a parade, and it's for a very good cause. She's really excited," she said.

After the parade was over, Chatsworth resident Bill Perry said he was very proud of what the community had done.

"This was a very good parade, especially for the first time," he said. "I hope they do this every year."

Murray County's observance of Veterans Day will continue Saturday at Veterans Park at 11 a.m. The program will feature the Woodlawn Elementary Chorus, bagpipe memorial playing and a keynote speech by Rock Bridge Community Church Pastor Matt Evans. A lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers will be served.

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(c)2018 The Daily Citizen (Dalton, Ga.)

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