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Graham gearing up for Fourth of July

Fri, 06/18/2021 - 4:15 pm
America United Independence Day Parade, military service member ceremony to return
editor@grahamleader.com

While the COVID-19 pandemic canceled some of the festivities in Graham for the Fourth of July last year, all events are returning in full force this year with a full schedule of activities. Five events will take place throughout the city Saturday, July 3.

The day starts with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast from 7-11 a.m. which last year was postponed to October 2020 due the COVID-19 pandemic and held alongside the Convention and Visitors Bureau Pigskin Weekend event. The breakfast will lead into the Chalk the Walk starting at 8:30 a.m. and the Independence Day ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Young County Courthouse gazebo. The Independence Day Parade follows the ceremony at around 10 a.m.  and the day ends with the Fourth at the Fields fireworks show at night.

The ceremony at 9 a.m. will have a bell roll call for service members who have passed away in the last year, a flag ceremony and a ceremony recognizing individual service members in Young County. Graham Chamber of Commerce CEO Krisa De La Cruz said she wants attendance for the ceremony honoring service members to grow over time because of its importance.

“People think of Fourth of July and they think of going to the lake and cookouts and fireworks, but that ceremony is one of the most important things that we do on Fourth of July and honoring those who have served our country. Also it is not just about the recognition and the honor because, to be honest, most servicemen I know that I’ve seen who have been honored they don’t want it. They don’t like it. It makes them uncomfortable, but it is important because it instills that pride in the next generation also and that is really important and I think it’s as important for all of us as Americans to recognize and honor our service members as it is for them to be recognized,” she said.

For the rest of the story, see the June 19 edition of The Graham Leader.