278th soldiers to parade through downtown

By LISA HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

The city and county have scheduled Feb. 4 as “Welcome Home I-Troop Appreciation Day.”

“This is for the veterans who have returned home,” said McMinnville Mayor Royce Davenport. “I want to encourage everyone to attend the parade. We need to show we really appreciate everything these soldiers have done.”

There will be 80 members of the 278th in attendance. Some will be walking, others will be riding on a fire engine and one will be driving a garbage truck.

“George Reed, who has worked for the city of McMinnville for years driving the garbage truck, will be in full uniform,” said Major Jim Reed, no relation to George. “I think it’ wonderful the city is willing to allow him to drive the truck in full uniform during the parade.”

Downtown merchants are gearing up for the day of appreciation as well.

“We are encouraging downtown merchants to decorate,” said Main Street director Chris Wilson. “We are also encouraging them to give discounts in the amount of “278” to anybody who comes downtown for the parade. It could be $278 or $2.78. Most of them are going to participate.”

The parade will start assembling at 10:30 a.m. at McMinnville Civic Center. Departure from the Civic Center is set for 11 a.m.

The parade route will run from Hardee’s down Main Street all the way to the fire department.

At that time, the band will depart at Market Street into the Farmers Market. Those in vehicles will continue down to the intersection and back up Cobble Street.

A luncheon will be provided for the members of the unit and their families at the Civic Center at noon. The luncheon will be provided by Warren County government.

This parade will be the last official event regarding the homecoming of the 278th. Within one week of Feb. 4, Mayor Davenport requests that all signs, ribbons and cups in fences be removed.

“They are in violation of a city ordinance and I’ll have to enforce the ordinance at that time. We have let it go until the final official welcome home and now we want to try and get it cleaned up. The ribbons are getting faded and looking pretty bad. I think everyone will understand.”