GLENNVILLE, Ga. - A large detail of soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, along with members of the 3rd Inf. Div. Band, represented the division at the 24th Annual Glennville Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, Jan. 18, in Glennville.
The weather was very cold Saturday morning as the detail of 56 soldiers marched the parade route along Veterans Boulevard. The chilled wind was more than enough to keep the flags of the color guard waving.
Many parade attendees even opted to watch the fan fair from the warmth of their personal vehicles, but the support of the community was still evident.
"All the support was great," said 2nd Lt. Gordon McElroy, from the 3-15 Inf. Regt. operations section. "It's an important event."
The parade included horses, floats, police escorts and more, which despite the frigid temperatures, were quite lively. Sirens blared and bands played from the back of floats on trailers. The marching beat of the 3rd Inf. Div. Band had a distinct echo off the buildings as they marched past. The horses gait was almost like a subtle dance as they clopped by the faces of smiling children.
Groups of bundled up children darted back and forth along the parade grabbing up candy, and everyone on the sidelines seemed to know the members of the procession practically by name, acknowledging each other with hellos and questions about family as they march past slowly meandered by.
"It's not like a New York Thanksgiving parade," said Pvt. Tien Do, an infantryman with 3-15 Inf. Regt., "but I liked it - small town American feel."
The celebration continued at the end of the parade with one particular float with an exuberant drummer and keyboard player getting a crowd of children worked up in an impromptu dance party.
"It turned out great," said Do.
McElroy said he was proud to be a part of the event and represent the division as well as the Army.
"The more they see the Soldiers in the streets doing good things, the more support we'll get," McElroy added.
Related Links:
The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division DVIDS page.
The official 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart Facebook page.
The official 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Facebook page.
The official 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart website.
Social Sharing