AMVETS hosting picnic at Marietta’s Gold Star Park
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MARIETTA -- Local veterans groups will hold an inaugural picnic at Gold Star Park on Thursday to celebrate Independence Day.
Participants will begin lining up for a parade at 9 a.m. at Fourth and Hart streets in downtown Marietta.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and proceed down Fourth Street to Putnam Street. From Putnam Street, it turns down Front Street and ends in front of the Armory, where a brief ceremony will be held.
AMVETS Post 1788 Public Relations Officer Bruce Haas said the parade will include military vehicles, political candidates, and first responder vehicles such as fire departments.
Washington County Veterans Services Executive Director Darren Shearlock will serve as the guest speaker at the ceremony. The festivities will then move to Gold Star Park, where hamburgers, hot dogs, and sweet corn will be served.
The picnic will also have DJ Denny Gosset and live tunes played by Haas and Dan Parsons.
Haas said he is looking forward to connecting with the community and sharing services available for veterans.
"We can transport veterans to doctor's appointments if they need transportation. We can help them file paperwork with the Veterans Affairs office," he said.
Haas said he is pleased other local veterans groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion will be participating at the picnic because it means more help for veterans in need.
"When I started this position seven years ago, our veterans groups didn't communicate at all. We can call around and see who is the best person to help someone. We can put our heads together and come up with the best solution," he said.
Kristen Hainkel can be reached at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com