FORT STEWART, GA.-- Sounds of fifes and drums filled the air as a cool breeze carried the sounds of children's laughter and passed through the hanging moss of the grand old oak trees which line historical downtown Savannah.

Grown men and women dressed as Native Americans, frontiers men, and 19th century colonists lined the streets along with more than 2,500 local elementary school students to celebrate the State of Georgia's 276th birthday during the Georgia Day Parade.

Eight Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and students and teachers from Fort Stewart's Diamond Elementary School participated in the Georgia Day Parade in Savannah, Feb. 12.

Diamond Elementary is part of the adopt-a-school program on Fort Stewart and is sponsored by 1/9 FA who supports the teachers and students from the school's various events throughout the year.

The Georgia Day Parade celebrates the history of the state of Georgia. Many of the participants, including children and Soldiers donned historical costumes. Several servicemembers wore traditional uniforms dating from World War I to today.

The Savannah chapter of the Georgia Historical Society organized the Georgia Day Parade as an opportunity to encourage local students to learn more about their states history and to commemorate James Oglethorpe's founding of the state of Georgia in 1733.