FORT STEWART, Ga. - The Liberty County Veterans Council held its first-ever Veterans Parade through downtown Hinesville, Nov. 7. The parade featured Soldiers from the 3rd Sustainment Brigade and members of the Liberty County Veterans Association, including Midway American Legion, Hinesville American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign War and the Association of the United States Army.
The color guard was provided by the Hinesville Police Department. Other groups participating in the parade included Liberty County High School's Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, the Bradwell Institute Marching Band, Cub Scout Troop 566 and a pair of junior miss beauty queens. Among the spectators lining both sides of Main Street were Hinesville Mayor James Thomas, Brigadier General Jeffrey E. Phillips, 3rd Infantry Division, Deputy Commanding General-Rear; Command Sergeant Jeffrey Ashmen, rear detachment command sergeant major; and Colonel Kevin Milton, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander. Even Rocky, the 3rd ID mascot, was there with his owner, Traci Wheeler, watching the parade from the sidelines.
Dennis Fitzgerald, president of the American Legion Post 321, organized the parade along with help from Paul Spence, Liberty County Veterans Council president and Jimmy Waynick, Liberty County's Veteran of the Year. Although there were more participants in the parade than spectators watching it, the parade was considered a success.
"For the first year, I think (the parade) went great," said Paul Spence, Liberty County Veterans Council president. "I decided last year we needed to have a parade, so we assigned the task to our newest member, (American Legion) Post 321. Dennis (Fitzgerald) did a great job organizing everything, and we were supported by the schools, the military and the city. I wish we'd had more spectators, but maybe those who were there this year will talk it up, so next year we'll have a better turnout."
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