Gainesville Memorial Day parade honors organizer Gene Shadburn

GAINESVILLE - Once again Gainesville, Ga. proved it loves a parade; hundreds turned out with their lawn chairs and lined Green Street for the 6th annual Memorial Day parade Monday morning sponsored by American Legion Post 7.

Among those hundreds under clear skies with mild temperatures were Jamey Moore and his small children, all equipped with American flags.

"I have some beautiful little flag wavers," Moore said of his little group ranging in age from 2.5 to 3.5-years-old. "They're just enjoying their first parade here on Green Street."

The parade featured at least 76 marching and motorized units and was named for originator the late Gene Shadburn, a former post commander who died accidentally while attending the annual American Legion convention last year in Reno, Nev.

Shadburn's wife, Faye Shadburn, was honorary Grand Marshal.

Parade committee member Roger Keebuagh of Post Seven recalled Shadburn wanted Gainesville to have a parade to honor veterans.

"Gene was a good man and he did a lot for the Legion and he did a lot for the community as well as the Legion," Keebaugh said.

Walter Victor,long time Atlanta Braves photographer, was one of the many veterans in the parade.

"People don't realize what we went through," he said. "I made landings in Africa, Sicily and D Day and got eight combat stars and four Bronze Stars."

After the parade Vietnam Veterans Chapter 772 of Gainesville provided fun, food and drink for parade goers,setting up in the plaza next to the Hall County Court House; money raised by that event supports Vietnam veterans and armed forces members deployed overseas.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/5/210299