Rusk will celebrate Independence Day June 29-30

The annual Rusk Independence Day celebration will begin with a gigantic veterans appreciation party from 7-10 p.m. Friday, June 29, at the Toyland Combat Vehicles Museum on CR 2407.

Downtown activities are planned for Saturday. Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion will sponsor open house June 30 at the VFW Hall, U.S. Highway 69 South and Fourth Street.

Veterans appreciation party

The public is invited to attend the veterans appreciation party at the Toyland Combat Vehicles Museum. The museum can be reached by traveling south on U.S. Highway 69 to FM 241. After turning on FM 241, go one mile and turn left on CR 2407. The museum is one mile on the right. Veterans of all wars are invited.

This includes World War II, Cold War, Korean, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. Uniforms are suggested but not required. Some will wear 40's attire.

Persons from the public are asked to contribute food, water, soft drinks, chairs, tables, balloons and other party items.

There will be big band music, food, soft drinks and combat re-enactors amidst a multitude of 20th century combat vehicles.

This is an opportunity for those attending to dance and swap war stories.

June 30 parade

The Rusk Chamber of Commerce's Fourth of July downtown parade and celebration is planned early this year and will be held on Saturday, June 30. Planners say, "Patriotism will be observed as in the days of the 'Good Ole Summertime' of decades past."

The event will begin with patriotic music at 10 a.m. The Rusk Rotary Club will distribute small American flags to those attending.

The Rev. Jim Goforth will give the invocation at the opening ceremony. Mayor Angela Raiborn will preside at the gathering. Ian Chandler will sing the National Anthem.

Various live gospel and patriotic performances will include Jan Pate with "God Bless the USA," the First Baptist Church gospel quartet featuring Tim Timmons, Virginia Goforth singing an armed services medley and hymn medley.

At 11:55 a.m. the Confederate forces will perform. They will end their performance with gunshots and then the "76 Trombones" will play.

The parade will begin at noon. The event is co-sponsored by Greg James Country Motors. Veterans will serve as parade marshals.

Everyone who has ever worn a uniform is invited to wear it. This means those who have served in the armed forces, those who have worn a police, fire, boy scout, girl scout, baseball and others. Veterans will ride in the parade in military vehicles from Toyland Military Museum. Others will walk. Many veterans who cannot walk will ride decorated wheelchairs.

All floats will be red, white and blue in theme. Prizes will be awarded.

The Lions Club will lead the entire square in singing with the Kate Smith version of "God Bless America."

Following the parade, there will be a Classic Car show and contest at 1 p.m. on the square. The "Battle of the Bands" will be held, also at 1 p.m., at the Cherokee Civic Theatre.

The summertime music will continue around the square. Families are invited to bring their picnic baskets. For information and to register a float call (903) 683-4242.

VFW open house

Open house will be held at the VFW Hall.

The event is hosted by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. All veterans and their families are invited.

Hot dogs, home-made root beer and watermelon will be served.

The hall will be open following the parade until 5 p.m.