Veterans Day Parade was for everybody
Mavis Kohler (foreground) and Deb Wooley wave the American Flag during the 2017 Veterans Day Parade in Clinton Saturday morning.
Like fans at a Major League Baseball game or groupies at a rock concert.
They cheered, shouted, and then shouted for everyone to cheer louder.
And they applauded, doffed caps, saluted, whistled and waved … And waved the American flag.
There were shouts of “None better” as Veterans passed by.
Saturday morning in Clinton, Tenn., was about as American as you can get.
The ROTC programs at Clinton High School (Air Force JRROTC) and Anderson County High School (Navy JRROTC) marched with a certain panache and determination.
It was daylight and there was no hiding missteps.
The Anderson County Veterans Parade, 2017, the first such “daylight” parade since Nov. 11, 2006, was attended, it seemed, by everyone who wanted to celebrate this country’s freedoms and the price paid for them.
“No, I’m not a Veteran,” Jeff Hamilton answered about why he was attending Saturday’s event.
“I didn’t have the chance to serve ... But my brother …,” he started, then paused.
“My brother was a Captain in the 4th Infantry in Vietnam … In Cambodia,” he said.
“I’m here for him. For them.”
It was a sentiment shared by many. Shouts of “Thank you,” filled Market and Main Streets in Clinton.
Another proud flag waver didn’t shout. She just waved her flag and looked on.
Mavis Kohler, age 96, stood in the cold and waved an American flag.
“She wanted to be here,” Deb Wooley said. Wooley drove Kohler to the parade, stood beside her, then helped her back into a car.
“She served in World War II as a WAVE ... With the Navy,” Wooley said. “She wanted to be here. She’s proud of her service.”