Graham gears up for annual Independence parade

The 17th annual Fourth of July Independence Parade will be held on the Graham downtown square with a ceremony honoring veterans beginning at 9 a.m. and the parade following at 11 a.m. The parade is managed by three non-profit veterans service organizations in Young County: the American Volunteer Reserve, Freedom Care Warrior Project and VFW Post 8567. The parade, which is also supported by the Graham Chamber of Commerce and the Graham Convention and Visitors Bureau, is a chance to honor servicemen locally and nationally. Schedule of events The welcoming ceremony remarks will be given by Maj. Gen. Knox Bishop and a wreath laying and folding will follow introductory remarks by Andrea Lowery at 9:20 a.m. at the Young County Veterans Memorial. Members of the AVR will fold the colors and a rifle squad will fire a three-volley salute followed by the playing of “Taps.” Service star flags will be presented by the American Volunteer Reserve to Young County families at the Young County courthouse gazebo at 9:40 a.m. Families will be called to the podium to receive flags approved by the Secretary of Defense for members of the immediate family of someone serving or who served in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which they’re engaged. Following the service star presentation at 10 a.m. will be a Missing Man Bell Roll Call, in which Bishop will explain the ceremony serves to honor Young County veterans who died in 2017. Certificates of honor and gratitude will be presented by Mayor Jack Graham at 10:30 a.m. to Young County honorees, who after the presentation will then position themselves in their vehicles for the parade. At 11:10 a.m. the parade will begin after remarks made by narrator Brian Christenson explaining the significance of the parade. A member of the Graham Regional Theatre will then sing the National Anthem. Vendors will be on the Graham downtown square during all the events and visitors are encouraged to leave a special message for servicemen on the chalk wall located at Oak and Second streets. Parade line-up The route of the parade will be different this year due to the high temperatures expected on Independence Day. This year the parade will start on the inside of the square at the corner of 4th and Elm streets, and will march around the square instead of heading down Oak Street to First Street. Parade entries 1-12 will line up on Oak between Fourth and Fifth streets, 13-19 will line up on Fifth Street between Elm and Oak and enter from Elm and Fifth. Parade entries 20-29 will line up on Fifth Street between Oak and Pecan and enter from Hwy. 67. Entries 30 and up will line up on Oak from Fifth Street to Hwy. 67 and enter from Hwy. 67.   The judges for the parade will be previewing parade entries from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and entries will be judges based on the theme of “Proud to be an American,” along with their creativity and patriotism. The float’s assigned number must be visibly posted on the right-hand side of the entry in order to be judged and be announced by the narrator. For the safety of everyone participating, no firecrackers, discharging of firearms or consumption of liquor will be allowed during the parade. The awards for the best three entries will be announced following the conclusion of the parade.