Independence Day Parade features six veterans as Grand Marshals
Six military veterans collectively will serve as Grand Marshals for Town of Farragut’s 31st Annual Independence Day Parade Wednesday, July 4. (Front) Allen Sizemore (Army); (From left behind Sizemore), Scott Johnson (Army), Tom Peck (Navy), Larry George (Marines), Gary Brammer (Coast Guard) and Bill Robinson (Air Force).
“I’ve been going to these parades for a long time, and I’ve always looked at them as patriotic celebrations,” said Montgomery, a Farragut resident and retired Army colonel with 26 years of service.
He submitted a proposal to Town officials, asking that a collection of veterans be considered to serve as this year’s parade Grand Marshals under the theme “A Tribute to Veterans.”
The proposal was embraced earlier this year, as was the list of veterans Montgomery suggested to represent the military branches. Serving as this year’s Grand Marshals will be: Sgt. Major Allen Sizemore (Army/World War II, Korea and Vietnam conflicts); Capt. Tom Peck (Navy/Desert Shield/Desert Storm/Iraqui Freedom); Capt. Bill Robinson (Air Force/Vietnam); Petty Officer 1st class Gary Brammer (Coast Guard/stateside duty stations); Platoon Sgt. Larry George (Marines/Vietnam); and Chief Warrant Officer Scott Johnson (Army/FBI).
While the Grand Marshals will ride on the Town’s Float, all veterans and active duty personnel are invited to walk alongside and behind the float during the parade.
All six Grand Marshals gathered at farragutpress Friday, June 22, and expressed gratitude and humility in representing their country and military branches at next week’s parade.
“I appreciate Farragut honoring veterans,” said Peck, who retired in 2012 after 26 years of service in a variety of military operations and capacities. “It is an honor to be among heroes, and I am happy to represent the veterans who are on active duty around the world today.”
“I’m glad to see all the branches of service honored,” said Robinson, who was able to return to the United States in 1973, after being held in Vietnam as a prisoner of war for more than seven years. “We are all in it together — young and old.
“I am proud to be doing it,” he added. “Just because I am out of the service, I don’t stop serving my country.”
Johnson, who was commended during active duty for helping rescue soldiers during the Black Hawk Down incident in Somalia and is currently the FBI’s principal firearms instructor in Knoxville, said he “appreciates Jim (Montgomery) for putting this forward, I know it is something he has talked about doing for a long time.”
Montgomery was quick to deflect the focus, and said, “It’s all about these guys and their stories — it is something that has been needed for a long time.”
“It is a very beautiful idea,” George said. “What is unique about it is that every branch of service will be represented.
“And I’m proud to represent the Marine Corps,” he added.
Brammer, who was at one time a Boarding officer in the South Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico and was one of the first members of the Department of Homeland Security, agreed he was glad to be part of the representation.
At 89, Sizemore is the senior veteran in the group, having seen service at the tail end of World War II, the beginning of Korea, and midway through Vietnam.
He and Johnson were discussing that no matter the military branch, “you are over there, fighting for your country,” Johnson said. “You aren’t fighting for yourself.”
“We all serve under one God,” Sizemore said. “We all do.”
Additional veterans or active duty military members are asked to meet by 8:30 a.m. in the old Kroger Parking lot, across Kingston Pike from Farragut High School to take part in this year’s parade.
(See story above for other parade details).
