Hartselle will roll out a red carpet for veterans and active duty military personnel and their families on Sat., Nov. 10, with the 2nd annual Veterans Day Parade.

Veterans are encouraged to participate in the parade either on foot or as a rider in one of several vehicles that will be provided.

“Our first Veterans Day program and parade attracted a lot of interest and had great participation,” said Lee Y. Greene Jr., parade chairman, “and we’re expecting this year’s event to be even bigger and better.”

This year’s parade is also the first that will be sponsored by the City of Hartselle.

“We welcome the decision of the mayor and city council to take on the veterans program and parade as a city-sponsored event.” Greene pointed out. “This means it will no longer be in the hands of a few individuals but will become a community event with public support. It will also ensure the perpetuity of a Veterans Day parade.”

A patriotic program will be staged at the historic depot on Railroad Street, beginning at 9:30 a.m. It will feature the posting of colors by the Priceville High School JROTC Color Guard, music by the Hartselle High School band, singing by the Hartselle Junior High School chorus and a keynote address by Mayor and Army veteran Don Hall. Army Veteran Dr. Mark Hendrix will serve as emcee.

Attention will be focused on all veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces as they are thanked for their military service in helping to keep America free and strong.

In addition, Morgan County Cattlemen will be grilling and serving hot dogs. Soft drinks will also be available.

The event is free to the public.

The street parade will form on Railroad Street at 10:30 a.m. and travel west on Main, turn left on Sycamore and return to The Station where it will end. It is expected to attract high school marching bands from Hartselle, Danville and Falkville as well as entries from antique car and tractor clubs, veteran’s organizations and volunteer fire departments. The lead vehicle will be a restored, privately-owned Army jeep from the Vietnam era.

Those individuals and groups interested in entering a unit in the parade are encouraged to pick up a parade application form at the City Hall at Greene’s Surveying Company on South Sparkman Street.

Serving with Greene on the first parade committee were Robert Dotson, Cleo Stubbs, Dwaine Howard, Gene Wilson, George Miller, Brian White Susie McEuen.