Patriotism is on display during Point Marion regatta
POINT MARION – Recent rains that raised river levels might have cancelled boating events, but it didn’t dampen the patriotic spirit evident Saturday at the 23rd annual Albert Gallatin Memorial Regatta. Throughout the day, as the sun warmed the festivities, people continued to gather at Point Marion Park for games, rides, food and activities. Along with American flags flying throughout the town, many in attendance sported red, white and blue apparel.
Although the event features a nautical name, water events were cancelled this year due to the recent rains that caused high water levels and debris in the rivers. That fact did little to damper the enthusiasm of the children who gathered to take turns trying to win prizes such as decorated mirrors, stuffed animals or plastic aliens.
The ceremonies began on a somber note as the crowd marked the start of Memorial Day. The Little Arlington section of Evergreen Cemetery was the site for a 10 a.m. memorial service to honor those who gave their lives fighting for their country.
Little Arlington featured freshly decorated gravestones with American flags flying beside each one. Woody Hughes, finance officer and former three-time commander of American Legion Post 499 and life member of VFW 747, helped to organize the event, which featured patriotic selections from the Albert Gallatin School District band.
Rev. Scott Teets, pastor of Fallen Timbers Community Chapel, gave the speech for the second consecutive year. When he spoke a year ago he held the men and women who are honored on Memorial Day in high regard. He said this year he holds them in esteem even more in light of the tragic events that occurred on Sept. 11.
Teets said now is our time of fight to uphold the truths that we may have taken for granted and fight like the soldiers who lost their lives fighting to preserve the freedom that we hold so dear in America.
“We must be brave and strong and prevail as they prevailed,” he said.
During his speech, Teets borrowed a line from the fictional Sylvester Stallone character John Rambo when he is asked what he wants. “I want what they want, to have our country love us as much as we love our country,” he said.
In concluding, Teets repeated the lines of a song that has again become popular since Sept. 11. “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me. And I’ll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, because there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A..,” he said. “And God bless you.”
After the speech, members of the ladies auxiliary of the American Legion placed a wreath on a grave and a firing squad saluted. Following the playing of Taps, the band performed “God Bless America.”
A short time later, before the parade through Point Marion, a wreath was dropped into the water off the Veterans’ Memorial Bridge and Taps was played again.
The parade then began and featured three Albert Gallatin school district bands, all the regatta queen contestants, fire departments, boy and girl scouts and other units.
Each of the regatta queen contestants were perched atop boats that were pulled through the parade.
An unidentified little boy gushed, “today is the best day of my life” as he walked along the parade route.
As the parade route concluded at the entrance to the park, the spectators made their way to the site of the activities to eat, play games and socialize.
The regatta continues today with fireworks concluding the activities at 9 p.m.