Vietnam-era veterans will be honored when the annual Independence Day parade rolls through Fulton on July 4.
Parade founder and parade committee co-chair David Beaver said the main emphasis of the parade will be to honor the 10 Callaway County Vietnam veterans that died in action while serving in the war.
"There's so many Vietnam vets that we couldn't load all of them up in convertibles and have them lead the parade," Beaver said. "That's why we changed it around to guys that we knew had been killed in action. It's a little different but people that have grown up around here have lived here for a long time, so they'll know most of these people - I thought that it would be a good tribute for the 10."
Beaver said there will be 10 convertibles, one dedicated to each Callaway County Vietnam veteran killed in action. On the side of each car will be a poster to honor of one of those 10 veterans. Each banner will list the veteran's name, date of birth, rank, military branch and day of death. Four of the veterans' families will be riding in separate cars designated for their relative - one of those families is traveling from Kentucky to participate.
Beaver said parade participants and floats should start gathering at 10 a.m. on 12th Street at the entrance of William Woods and will start walking the parade route promptly at 11 a.m. The procession will continue south on Nichols Street to 10th Street, then head east on 10th to the end of Court Street, where the parade route will conclude at Hensley Field near Memorial Park.
"Kids who want to decorate their bicycles or tricycles can start at the library and can ride in the parade so they're only riding half the distance," Beaver said. "When it's (the parade) is over with, they'll each get a little prize. The Dairy Queen here in town is donating ice cream cones and we'd give them a coupon to take out."
At the end of the parade, Beaver says refreshments will be available. He also said that the County Commission and Fulton Mayor LeRoy Benton are expected to present proclamations with respect to the 10 Callaway County Vietnam veterans who were killed in action and may also address all other Vietnam veterans for their service.
"Any veteran that wants to ride in the parade is more than welcome," Beaver said. "Anybody who wants to participate, any business that wants to put some type of float or advertising vehicle is welcome - we're open to anybody."
Beaver said Callaway County Sheriff's Department, Fulton Police Department, most of the Callaway County fire districts and law enforcement from a few smaller Callaway County communities will participate in the parade.
Elsewhere in Callaway County, the Holts Summit Firework Celebration is scheduled for July 3 at 5 p.m. in Greenway Park next to the Civic Center.
Holts Summit City Administrator Brian Crane said Holts Summit band Soulroot will perform live again this year, and local food vendors and businesses will set up booths in the park. Crane said a beer garden may also be set up.
Crane said that children activities, such as pony rides, bounce houses and train rides, would be available.
The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.
In an earlier edition posted online, the name of Fulton's mayor was written incorrectly, and Holts Summit City Administrator Brian Crane's name was misspelled on third reference. The changes are reflected in the story.