FORT STEWART, Ga. - Everyone enjoys a parade, which is apparent by Soldier participants and crowds that line the streets to watch the progressions.
Soldiers of the division participated in community parades, Dec. 3 in several of the towns around Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield.
A military twist was added in all of them, as was noted by the one in Vidalia.
Even as the temperature warmed to the mid-sixties, the citizens of Vidalia were thinking of snowmen and Santa Clause as they lined the streets for the annual Vidalia Christmas parade.
Marching along with the cities organizations and school teams was a group not from the nearby area, but just as welcomed as any local citizen.
Soldiers from 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, drove up early in the morning in order to march the American and the Raider Brigade flags in this year's parade.
Accompanying them in a "dune buggy" along the route was 1st HBCT Commander, Col. James Crider and his son Jack.
"We got invited to come out and participate in the Vidalia Christmas parade," said Col. Crider. "This is the second event I have done here in Vidalia, so we are really starting to develop a good positive relationship with the community."
For areas that do not usually see many Soldiers, developing that relationship is one of Col. Crider's, and the brigade's, biggest goals.
"Any time we have a chance to bring the civilian community closer to the Army, or make some kind of connection, that's positive," Col. Crider said.
Besides Santa, the Soldiers and their military presence drew the most applause and shouts from those in attendance at all of the parades.
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