TUSCUMBIA – Arrangements are complete for the 13th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Program, according to Richard Sheridan, adjutant for Colbert County Memorial Post No. 31 of the American Legion. The event is sponsored jointly by the Post and the TVA Credit Union.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ramon “Ray” Padilla, of Waterloo, will be the guest speaker on Veterans Day in Tuscumbia. The program will begin about 11:30am. This will follow the Veterans Day Parade which starts at 11am. The public is invited to both events.

Colonel Padilla, a native of Los Angeles, CA, served in the U. S. Army from 1947 to 1975 and is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and did post-graduate work at Kansas State University and Florence State University. His military education includes Officer Candidate School, Seventh Army Academy, and Command & General Staff College plus Airborne, Ranger, and Infantry schools.

The colonel rose rapidly in the enlisted ranks and began the youngest Master Sergeant in the Army at age 19. His many assignments took him overseas to bases in Korea, Japan, Argentina, Germany, and the Philippines in addition to several assignments in the United States. He suffered injuries in both Korea and Vietnam. He received his commission as an officer after completing OCS at Fort Benning, GA.

During one tour of duty, Padilla served as Assistant Professor of Military Science at Florence State University (now UNA). Evidently, he liked the Shoals area because he and his family now live in the Waterloo community.

Among the items Col. Padilla will address in his speech will be the origin of Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the value of the American soldier, the undefeated might of the United States, and the fact that freedom is not free.

If heavy rain is predicted, the parade will be canceled and the program moved to the Legion Hall at 110 North Main Street, Tuscumbia. Entries are still needed for the parade. Please assemble for the parade at 10:30am on North Commons near Deshler High School by entering from Cave St.

Tuscumbia Mayor, Bill Shoemaker, will give the opening remarks and Post Commander Charlie Grimmitt will preside. Post Chaplain Bryce Tidmore will give the invocation, and the Post Color Guard will advance the Colors. Rev. Phil Russell will sing the National Anthem. At the end of LTC Padilla's speech, a rifle salute and cannon salute will be fired followed by retirement of the Colors and taps.

Spectators should bring a lawn chair. Everyone is invited to visit the Legion Hall for refreshments after the program. For further information, please call 381-2298.