Last Saturday I attended the Georgia Sweet Potato Festival held in Ocilla.
I got there in time to get a good seat to see the parade.
I met my daughter and her family there and we made it a "family" event.
The streets were lined on both sides with moms and dads, and especially children waiting with their Halloween bags to collect the candy thrown by the parade participants.
Everyone was sitting in the hot sun and enjoying the motorcycles, tractors, old cars, etc. when I heard the sound of a band approaching.
As I looked south, I realized that the Marine Band from Albany, Georgia was marching toward me and I felt the tears fill my eyes as I rose to pay my respects to the men and women of our armed forces which were represented by these musicians. Before I could put my hands together to applaud, I realized that I was not the only one standing.
My daughter and her family stood; the people in front of me stood; and as I looked back along the parade route, I saw that almost everyone was standing and clapping their hands as the Marine band marched in front of them.
The applause was so loud that it almost drowned out the band itself. As the band passed by, the clapping around me died down but I could hear it taken up again by the patriots further along the street as the band came toward and passed them. It was a wonderful feeling and one I shall not forget.
We in "small town" America haven't forgotten what our military has done for us and is doing at this very moment.
I bowed my head and prayed in thanksgiving for their sacrifices and for protection for those in harm's way.
God Bless America!

Alice Harris
Alapaha, GA