Our mention in last week’s front page story on the Lexington Veterans Day parade and ceremony that last week’s parade was the first Veterans Day parade in 25 years wasn’t quite right.
There was, indeed, a parade organized by Bob Hopkins and local veterans in 2000 to mark the dedication of the new Veterans Memorial. But Kathy Burant reminded us last week that there was also a short, essentially “made for television,” Veterans Day parade in 2002 when ABC’s “Good Morning America” came to town for a live early morning production.
According to The News-Gazette archives, the broadcast was part of the “50 States in 50 Weeks” promotion by ABC News at that time. Lexington was chosen to represent the state of Virginia.
Burant, who was in her first year as athletic director and assistant principal at Rockbridge County High School, said she brought RCHS football players, cheerleaders and the school band to march and perform in the parade.
“Diane Sawyer went spelunking at the Natural Bridge Caverns, Robin Roberts was interviewing our students on the streets, Charlie Gibson was hanging out with Seth Goodheart over at W&L as Seth was careening down the slopes on a skateboard rather than a snowboard,” Burant also recalled.
“The parade was short and sweet with plenty of military presence - trucks and jeeps - and many veterans making the trek down Main Street,” she said.
