Happy Independence Day
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The Town of Rockford once again shows its patriotic spirit with silhouette cutouts honoring those who served the nation, lit up at night. Photo by Christa Jennings
The Town of Rockford’s patriotic displays include a special 250th anniversary banner and silhouette cutouts honoring veterans. Photo by Christa Jennings
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Town of Rockford joined the throngs of municipalities in celebrating the United States’ Independence Day and semiquincentennial, honoring 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
The town has patriotic decorations up throughout town and held a special celebration event last Saturday, June 27, with many coming out to enjoy the day as an early celebration for Independence Day.
The day’s event featured vendors, food trucks and youth activities, including a petting zoo and water slide. Live music was also provided by Whiskey River and Echoing Freedom.
There was also a dessert auction fundraiser, with 24 desserts donated and all proceeds going to a town employee who was in need of help with medical expenses.
Another highlight of the day was the display of new veterans banners as part of a program the town initiated. Banners honoring several Coosa County veterans were displayed on the fence around the town park and playground, reminding those attending the event of some of those who sacrificed for the freedoms they enjoy today.
While the banners were first displayed during last Saturday’s celebration, the town plans to use the banners for years to come, rehanging them each summer, as well as displaying them at the town’s annual veterans’ luncheon in November.
The banner program is for past and present military heroes alike, including living or deceased veterans, those currently serving and wartime or peacetime veterans. All veterans are eligible to be recognized, whether they served a few years or an entire military career.
As reported May 8, banners can still be ordered for those wishing to honor a veteran by sponsoring a banner. The cost is $120 per banner, and included information is the veteran’s name, photo, rank, military branch, dates of service, any prestigious medals or other information, and whether the veteran was a Prisoner of War, Missing in Action, Killed in Action, or Died in Service.
Those sponsoring each banner can fill out a form, include a photo of the veteran and provide the town with a copy of their DD-214 or discharge papers if available.
Also as reported May 8, there is a minimum requirement of 10 banners per order. This means that the town is unable to order with the company making the banners until it has accumulated another order of 10 at a time.
Order forms are available at Town Hall and can be turned in there or submitted via email to RockfordVeteransBanners@gmail.com. Payment can be made via cash or check made payable to Rockford Holiday Market and notated for “Veteran Banner” on the check’s memo line.
For more information on Rockford’s veteran banner program, email RockfordVeteransBanners@gmail.com, or visit Town Hall.
Rockford honors and salutes Coosa County’s veterans with a new veteran banner program, displaying the sponsored banners for the first time at last Saturday’s celebration. Photo by Christa Jennings
Echoing Freedom performs during the second half of Rockford’s Independence Day celebration. Photo by Christa Jennings
