CULLMAN – Area veterans were treated like royalty and honored at Saturday’s Veterans Day Celebration at Sportsman Lake Park. The event was bigger than ever before and many came out to pay tribute to all the brave men and women who served our country and fought for our freedom. The event was filled with demonstrations, speeches, music and food as folks got together and spent the day remembering our special veterans.
“We have our Veterans Day celebration every year and each year it continues to grow,” said Delitha Marchman, park manager. “We’ve got a lot more going on this year. I’m really big on supporting our veterans. My brother is a veteran so I’m really big on honoring them and I hope a lot of people come out and enjoy the day. It’s an honor, it’s heartfelt, it’s special, you know… these people fought for us; they’ve made a lot of sacrifices.”
This year, the celebration consisted of many special things such as an authentic Civil War cannon that was fired throughout the day, an air show, skydivers, vintage car show, Civil War battle demonstrations, wreath laying ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial Wall and so much more. The day also provided several concerts by area musicians like the Wallace State Jazz Band, a Willy Nelson impersonator and Cullman’s Round Two band.
The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) had booths set up and invited people to learn about the organizations and hopefully join their groups. Kelly R. “Fatboy” Roberts, a Marine and Vietnam veteran, who lives in Oneonta joined the VFW here in Cullman a year ago. He spoke highly of the group. In commenting of his military service, he had the following to say:
“I’d do it again.”
Unfortunately, after fighting in Vietnam, life back home had changed for him and many others throughout the United States during this sad time.
“After my four years of service, I got out and began looking for a job,” Fatboy continued. “I remember one place I went and applied for a job. The guy asked me for my military status, and so I told him I spent four years in the Marines and that I was a Vietnam veteran and all that stuff. The guy said, ‘Well, we just don’t have a place open right now. I’ll take your name and call you….’ I turned around to leave and this hippie came in. He came back out in a little bit, cussing, saying, ‘They hired me…. now that’s going to mess my unemployment up!’ See, I found out later that we (Vietnam veterans) had a reputation of being dope addicts and baby killers,” he shook his head though. “Well, I didn’t get to get any dope and I sure didn’t kill any babies!” he smiled a mischievous grin. “It’s just here of late that Vietnam veterans are recognized.”
In my opinion, as American citizens it is our duty to recognize and honor those that have gone before us and fought for this great country of ours. As the niece of a Marine who lost his life in battle during Vietnam, I’d like to say thank you to all veterans for their service. I never got the chance to meet my uncle Benjamin Herschel Reid but he’s a true hero in our family and in my heart. I appreciate the fine folks, especially Delitha Marchman for choosing to honor our military heroes by having a whole park dedicated to them and also by making celebrations like today something really special.
