The cold snap didn’t stop a crowd from forming Saturday morning to cheer on and honor local veterans as they marched in the annual Veterans’ Day Parade.
Marching bands, ROTC groups and the veterans themselves marched down East Ninth Street to the sounds of music and applause. A short service followed the parade at the Christian County Justice Center, where Chamber Military Affairs Committee Director Lindsey Geraci thanked the veterans for their service and the sacrifices they have made to guard the nation’s freedom.
The winner of the sidewalk salute school challenge for the third year in a row was Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School, while Hopkinsville High School JROTC were the winners of the Mayor’s JROTC Challenge. County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble and Mayor Carter Hendricks read a proclamation urging all citizens to take the time to speak with and thank a veteran this weekend in honor of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1913 hosted their Veteran’s Day service on Saturday, and heard the Voice of Democracy first place award winning essay by Jadyn Hicks of Gateway Academy. His essay focused on the things that make America great—freedom, voting and those who fight to defend the rights of others.
He told the story of his grandmother who emigrated from Guatemala to the United States in search of a better life for her and her children. Hicks says it’s thanks to the men and women of the Armed Forces that people like him and others are able to live happy, free lives.
Second place went to Nicholas Anderson, also of Gateway Academy, and Rachel Taylor of Logan County took third place. In the Patriot Pen Essay Contest, Eva Blakenberger took first, second went to Carly Shedonan and third place was claimed by Tyler Adcock.
From left to right: Jadyn Hicks, Nicholas Anderson, Rachel Taylor
