Wednesday, November 7, 2001
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Wednesday, November 7, 2001 |
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Red, white and blue parade set .for Brooks By JANET McGREGOR
The town of Brooks is going to be red, white and blue on Monday in observance of Veteran's Day, thanks to the children at Brooks Elementary School. Teachers and students from pre-kindergarten to the fifth grade have been busy for the past few weeks making floats, designing costumes and writing letters for the second annual Veterans Day celebration and parade. Although the school is leading the way, many others in the community have joined in to make the parade a memorable event. (Veterans Day is officially Sunday, Nov. 11, but is being observed on Monday, Nov. 12.) The festivities will kick off at the school gym at 8:30 a.m. with the presentation of colors by the Decatur High School ROTC Color Guard. The ROTC's choral group will also sing a patriotic song a cappella before the parade starts. A fire engine with firefighter Trenton Powers will lead the parade with students in descending grade order following. Each of the 26 classes in the school has decorated a red wagon "float." According to Dana Sams, teacher and one of the event organizers, "The students have all been really creative." As the parade passes the post office, students will mail letters they have written to soldiers, veterans and President George W. Bush. Dignitaries from Ft. McPherson have been invited to join in the parade, and there is hope that a Humvee may be brought in for the parade. Numerous veterans will ride in convertibles, and will be honored for their contributions. "The children all know what a veteran is and know to honor them for what they have done to give us our freedoms," said Sams. The 4-year-old pre-K students will walk at the end of the parade. Each of the 4-year-olds will be dressed in Uncle Sam costumes they created at school. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Shriners and others also will participate in the parade, which will wind its way through town, ending back at the school. At 11 a.m. a moment of silence will be observed to remember and honor those who fought for peace. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, the world rejoiced as an armistice was signed to end four years of war. Nov. 11 was designated as Armistice Day. In 1953 it was changed to Veterans Day. Many Americans still give thanks for peace by observing a moment of silence at 11 a.m. The festivities won't end with the parade. At 6 p.m. a patriotic community picnic will be at Brooks Park. The Boy Scouts will direct parking. Families are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a picnic prepared at home, or they may buy a hot dog at the All-American Hot Dog Stand hosted by the PTO. Live entertainment will be provided by church choirs, Music Alive!, Sousa's Stars and Stripes Musical Revue, the Brooks chorus and other local talent. At 7:45 p.m. candles will be lit and raised to honor U.S. veterans. The patriotic day of events will end with the singing of "God Bless America" and the "Star Spangled Banner." For information, phone 770-719-8150.
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