This float won first place in Priceville’s Veterans Day Parade. It was entered by American Legion Post 15. | Clif Knight

The Town of Priceville covered itself in red, white and blue and extolled the virtues of American patriotism as it celebrated Veterans Day with a street parade and a special program at the Morgan County Veterans Memorial Park.

The annual Veterans Day Parade attracted more than 20 units, which included patriotic floats, JROTC Patriot Brigade, Priceville High School marching band, several veterans’ organizations and elected officials.

The 10 a.m. parade formed on North Bethel Road and ended at the Veterans Memorial Park. It attracted an estimated 200 viewers.

Bill Dukes of Decatur, an army veteran, former mayor of Decatur and state representative was grand marshal.

Float winners were American Legion Post 15, first place; and VFW Post 4190, second place.

“I think it’s one of the best one we’ve had,” said Priceville Mayor Melvin Duran. “The weather is perfect and the number of folks who came to watch is higher than expected when you consider that this is a working day for most people.”

An even larger crowd attended a Veterans Day Program, which followed at 11 a.m. in the Veterans Memorial Park.

Sponsored by Morgan County’s united veterans organizations, the program featured the presentation and posting of colors and empty chairs ceremony by Priceville and Brewer JROTC cadets. A Veterans Day overview presented by Decatur Elks Lodge #655, and the laying of wreaths at the bases of monuments honoring fallen American military heroes.

Dukes reflected briefly on his life as a veteran, community leader and elected official after being introduced as the parade’s grand marshal.

“If there’s anything that sets my family apart it’s the fact that it has always stood up for America.” he said. “I’m thankful for that and for the opportunity you folks have given me to serve in pubic office. I believe giving of yourself to help others is what life is all about.”