By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
In the French language, the word “fêtes” means celebration, and Mayor Ronnie was pleased that there were so many events before, during, and after Veterans Day that were put on by our town to honor those that have served. We met at the Alabama Veterans Museum right after the parade on Monday, something in which we had both driven and had thoroughly enjoyed. I met Mayor Ronnie in the new Veterans Park adjacent to the Museum, and watched him have his own private moment saluting the flags that fly there.
For my part, I had the great joy of driving Jim Watson in his 1966 bright red VW Bug. Never got out of first gear for the whole parade, but the distinctive sound of a Beetle horn brought smiles to people on both sides of the parade route.
Mayor Ronnie drove his own 1997 navy blue Miata convertible, and mentioned that, “It was the last year they made ‘em with the popup lights.” He showed me a picture of himself that had been sent by his daughter, taken when Ronnie was a young soldier, and before he went to Vietnam.
On Thursday the 7th, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association had an event at the Veterans Museum to celebrate the formation of the Patriot Trail. Mayor Ronnie told me that the Patriot Trail was an idea that came out of Priceville’s City Council and had been spearheaded by their mayor, Sam Heflin.
Yvonne Dempsey, who works for Athens Now and volunteers tirelessly at the Museum said the following about the Patriot Trail:
On Thursday, Nov. 7, the museum [hosted] the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association’s inaugural Patriot Trail In Honor Of Veterans Celebration from 8-10 a.m. Featured speakers [were] Sam Heflin, mayor of Priceville, AL, and Major General Janet Cobb, Executive Director U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. The N. AL. Patriot Trail honors and celebrates our veterans as it highlights museums, parks, memorials, and events in the North Alabama region. Several of the sites are close enough to visit in one day, perfect for fall outings with the family.
On Friday, the Veterans Museum hosted Athens State University’s Veterans Day celebration with many veterans and area residents in attendance.
Athens High School had their event on Friday as well and posted the following: We just love all of these special celebrations of Veterans Day across #oneAthens. To our military heroes serving today and to those who have served in the past, we honor you. #VeteransDay #thankyouforyourservice
We talked about some veterans whose health was becoming frail, and about whom we were concerned. We also talked about the division in our country. There was only one thing left to do, and that was to pray, so we did. And then it was time for Ronnie to roll.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
December 6, 2024
