What a turnout for Veteran’s Day parade. . .
Yes, yes, yes, you can say I am happy overall. Tuesday’s Veteran’s Day Parade was one of, if not the largest, Veteran’s Day parades in Marianna. Superintendent of Schools Hunter Nolen requested dismissal of schools at 12:30 to allow students to observe or participate in the parade. It was awesome to see 60+ entries in the parade and a record turnout of those who gathered to watch the parade. The veterans who were in the parade as well as the watchers had to be prouder than a peacock that their service was definitely recognized and celebrated November 11, 2025. We have all heard it takes a village to raise a child, it can be said it also takes a village to come together for an event like this year’s parade.
Among those who led the way this year was VFW Commander Jenel D’Alessandro who literally took the bull by the horns with the parade. She didn’t hesitate to ask for assistance for areas she was uncertain of. One of the first calls was to Marianna High School to enlist the services of Debbie Dryden a/k/a the master of parade lineups. Although the Marianna Women’s Club was not directly involved in the parade, their efforts every year are above and beyond with the luncheon, door prizes, and attention given to our veterans.
My hat goes off to Marianna K8 for the awesome representation of their school in the parade. Their band, cheerleaders, FFA, SWAT club, both girls and boys’ basketball teams were all smiling big as they participated in the parade. They gave me renewed hope that our students do appreciate what our veterans did and continue to do for our great county. We had representation from other schools also, but they definitely won the most participating award by a school. Cottondale’s band and cheerleaders, Graceville’s cheerleaders, Marianna High’s band and cheerleaders were represented. And I will be quick to acknowledge that some athletic teams had scheduled games prior to the early released behind announced by Superintendent Nolen. For those whose season was over or had not begun yet, did deep inside and make the effort to let your coach know you would like to participate next year.
If you needed any encouragement to join either as a participant or a spectator, all you had to do was take a look at the Grand Marshall – 103 years young, C. W. Henderson was all smiles as he led the way, and General David Morris, along with his wife Paula, having served 32 years in the U.S. Army represented their branches of the service well. I can remember thinking generals were like presidents, notches above everyone and here we had a two-star general who graduated from Cottondale High School in a local parade in Marianna, Florida. How cool is that? The bands sounded great, the cheerleaders were well represented and performed with loud cheers for everyone to hear. There were a few who passed out candy (a no-no because of the risk of a child running into the street and being struck by a vehicle) however there were no injuries, just smiling faces as they raced to pick up the candy.
You are probably wondering where my ranting is but today I am trying really hard to overlook the absences at the Veteran’s Parade that pays tribute to the most deserving group of people ever. The ones who were here to participate or to watch didn’t pay the ultimate price but they have carried painful memories of witnessing more deaths than anyone should ever have to witness. They lost brothers, not by blood, but by faith and they saw sights no humans should ever see and those sights did not leave their minds when they came home.
I encourage parents to talk to their kids, let them know when they see a veteran in distress, he or she didn’t choose the path he carried out, to be kind and not judgmental. Suggest often that they offer kind words and even deeds to those suffering from the traumas (known to all veterans as PTSD – post traumatic stress disorder). There is no medication that can soothe or erase the bloodshed and trauma they witnessed, oftentimes innocent victims such as children involved.
Thanksgiving is one week away. There are opportunities for free meals, for turkeys and food to be given away to be cooked at homes, but there’s little opportunity for socialization for so many individuals who have no one. As you’re out and about, extend a hand, or happy well wishes to those you pass whether they have a host of folks with them or if they have no one with them at all. You can never predict what someone is going through – no matter the expression of their face. Some of what appears to be the happiest people on earth are carrying burdens no one will ever know until it’s too late. Being kind doesn’t cost a dime, being empathetic is as free as the air you breathe – practice both and you will be rewarded and that’s a promise from Prissie.
