Pat Volonino, commander of American Legion Post 15, is looking for a few good men. And women. And children.

You’re a prospective recruit for this mission if you enjoy music and the excitement that only a parade and good company generate.

And, Volonino says, if you have a fervor for patriotism and like to wave Old Glory, you move to the top of the ranks.

Morgan County’s annual Veterans Day parade begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday and Volonino and other members of the Combined Patriotic Organizations, the event’s sponsor, want you to be a part. Post 15 is this year’s lead organization.

“We have several groups committed to march, including the Falkville High School band, and we’re hoping other bands and organizations will come forward,” Volonino said. “It makes it kind of difficult that students and band members have an off day Wednesday. That’s why we’re sending out a call for anyone who wants to show support for veterans to come and join us.”

Floats and other vehicles should begin forming at 9 a.m. behind Fire Station No. 1 on Gordon Drive Southeast, near Banks-Caddell Elementary School. The parade proceeds down Gordon and Second Avenue to the Old State Bank, where patriotic music starts at 10:45. The Veterans Day program begins at 11.

Volonino said volunteer fire departments throughout the county are expected to have entries in the parade and the Army National Guard plans to have vehicles.

The Dixie Darlings twirlers and members of the Webster Karate Club will participate, along with a couple of nursing homes that will ride residents in vans, Volonino said. He said several car dealerships will have vehicles in the parade.

“We invite Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to join in, along with neighborhoods and clubs,” Volonino said. “If you like to walk down a street and wave a flag, you are welcome. We’ll even try to have flags for those who need them.”

Retired Brig. Gen. Warren A. Todd Jr., M.D., will be parade grand marshal and guest speaker. He served at numerous Army installations including the Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., and Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was commanding general. He retired in 1998.

Brewer High School JROTC will present the colors. and Austin High School’s JROTC will conduct the empty chairs ceremony.

The event will recognize Gold Star mothers, wives and sisters and there will be a roll call of former prisoners of war from Morgan County.

Decatur Mayor Don Stanford and John Glasscock, chairman of the Morgan County Commission, will also speak.

The Combined Veterans Honor Guard led by Commander Frank W. Shafer Jr. will give a 21-gun salute. Bob Stricklin, senior vice commander of American Legion Post 15, will play taps.

Afterward, there will be a reception in the Old State Bank.

Who to call

For more information on Morgan County’s annual Veterans Day parade, call John R. Tinger at 256-306-0898.

Leading the parade

Participating organizations in the Morgan County Veterans Day parade:

American Legion Post 15, Pat M. Volonino, commander; American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15, Jo Shafer, president; Sons of the American Legion Squadron 15, Homer Bean, commander; American Legion Riders Chapter 15, Adam Schlagenhauf, director; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4190, George R. Krigbaum, commander; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4190 Auxiliary, Elaine Frost, president; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 11, Wayne Horton, commander; Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Unit 11, Barbara Blankenship, commander; Elks Lodge 655, BPOE, Virgil Brown, exalted ruler; Decatur Emblem Club Post 127, Betty Bryant, president; American Legion Post 310, Collis Stevenson, commander; Decatur Police Department, Ken Collier, chief; Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Greg Bartlett, sheriff; Austin High School JROTC, Lt. Col. James Walker, senior Army instructor; Brewer High School JROTC, Lt. Col. Randy Pestona, senior Army instructor.

RONNIE THOMAS