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Article published Jun 12, 2009 Blount's first 'Proud to be an American Festival and Parade' slated Sunday in Maryville
By Melanie Tucker of The Daily Times Staff
As organizer of Blount County's first "Proud to Be an American Festival and Parade," Walland's Carol Russell has invited every veteran she could find. They are, after all, the reason this day is being celebrated.
Now the call is going out to the rest of us to participate. The event is taking place in Maryville, beginning with a parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, which is Flag Day, a day that commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
The parade will end up at the amphitheater behind the Blount County Courthouse where a ceremony is planned to honor all veterans. Vietnam veteran Tommy Clack is the guest speaker.Bill Landry from WBIR-TV's "Heartland Series" will serve as parade marshal, while WIVK's radio personality ""Gunner" will be emcee the program.
Russell, whose son is a veteran of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, has worked on this project for over a year. She wants to make sure when Sunday afternoon rolls around, she sees hundreds of thankful Blount Countians making our veterans feel appreciated and respected.
People who would like to decorate strollers and wagons and march in the parade can simply come to the CBBC on Broadway at 1:30 p.m. Russell said. She has collected bundles of red, white and blue children's clothing that she will give families to wear on this day and then keep. Those interested can arrive at the Blount County Chamber of Commerce at 1 p.m. Sunday to get dressed.
Blount County Mayor Jerry Cunningham said Russell approached him weeks ago to seek his opinion on whether this is the right thing to do. He said he told her to definitely move ahead with it.
"She has such a passion for this," he said. "She has spent countless hours on a project that will pay a tribute to our veterans."
Cunningham is a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the Marines. He said he will attend the Sunday celebration and is looking forward to hearing Clack speak. Representatives from the Maryville and Alcoa mayors' offices, state Sen. Doug Overbey and U.S. Congressman John Duncan and other officials will also attend.
It shouldn't be too hard to spot participants. All veterans who attend will be given red T-shirts to wear, and Russell has been encouraging everybody to come decked out in their patriotic colors.
"This day is all about demonstrating our patriotism and saying thanks to those who have made this country such a strong nation," Russell said.
Door prizes will be given away, and Russell said there is still time to make a donation.
Cunningham said it is great to see someone focusing their energies in such a positive way. "Too many times attention gets focused on the negative," he said.