Annual Veterans Day Parade held in downtown Dalton

Published 4:50 pm Saturday, November 10, 2018

Saturday’s cold and windy weather didn’t stop spectators from lining the streets of downtown Dalton for the annual Veterans Day Parade.

Gene Floyd said he didn’t mind the weather considering what veterans like his late father, Richard “Pete” Floyd, sacrificed. Floyd’s father served in the Army during the Korean War.

“It’s a beautiful day. Rain, sleet or snow, I’d stand here either way,” he said. “Yes it’s chilly, but that’s a small price to pay.”

Floyd called it an honor to support the veterans.

“It thrills my heart on the inside that people gave their lives and stood up for freedom,” he said. “It means everything to me.”

The parade was sponsored by the American Legion Post 112 in Dalton and organized by Beth Wingfield, a member and officer of the Legion and an Army veteran.

Lee Oliver, commander of the Dalton post, said the parade was “really nice. Beth did a good job organizing it and we really appreciate everybody for participating and coming out.”

Many spectators stood in the cold weather waving flags, cheering and capturing moments on their cameras as participants marched down the street.

It was Dustin Nation’s first time attending the parade. He was joined by his wife, their son and daughter.

“My dad served in Vietnam, so recognizing veterans means a lot to me,” he said. “Dalton shows a lot of love for their veterans, you can see there is a huge representation. I’m sure it means a lot to these guys.”

Raymond Dales served in the Army from 1990 to 1994. He said he joined the service because his father served.

“I was born and raised as an Army brat,” Dales said. “I think it’s important to have parades like this to recognize veterans.”

Dales said his dad, who served in the Army, and others like him didn’t come home to fanfare.

“I was raised hearing stories from my dad so it’s always been important to me to recognize veterans,” he said.

Larry Stewart, founder and director of Combat Veterans Memorial in Rocky Face, said he’s been active in veterans programs for 20 years.

“On Friday I spoke at North Whitfield Middle School and it was good seeing all the veterans in the audience,” he said.

Stewart, a Vietnam veteran, said his father, Earnest, was also a war veteran.

“He didn’t talk about the war a lot,” Stewart said. “When I left for war he never told me to be careful.”

Stewart said it wasn’t until he returned home that his father explained why he didn’t tell him to be careful. He said ‘being too careful in a war will get you killed,”‘ Stewart said. “I miss him a lot, he was a great guy.”

Junior Hammontree was named Veteran of the Year during a ceremony following the parade. Oliver said that Hammontree is a “very dedicated veteran. He takes people to the VA Clinic in Chattanooga and he’s also part of the honor guard.”