Honoring the sacrifices made; Southern States Bank recognizes veterans

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Veterans Day is the day Americans unite to pay our respects to the brave men and women who have served our country. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month many people share a moment of silence in order to celebrate our veterans.

• Selfless: Veterans are unselfish people, who were willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom.
• Dedicated: Willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done; having your fellow soldiers and country’s back.
• Patriotic: They have a love like no other for our country.
• Committed: Willingness to go the extra mile
• Faithful: Believing the cause is just; the many are more important than the one.

Those are just a few words used to describe veterans.

Sylacauga is home to many veterans, who have served our great country. Each and every year Sylacauga comes together to celebrate veterans in the Annual Sylacauga Veterans Day parade, but it doesn’t stop there. Flags are placed in the medians around town and businesses have taken their own approach to honoring our veterans.

Southern States Bank in Sylacauga has taken a creative approach this year to honor veterans who have served or continue to serve the country.

As you drive by the building you may notice flags from each branch of the military flying on the front lawn, which is just a small portion of how Southern States Bank is honoring veterans. Uniforms from each branch, dating back to World War I are on display in the lobby.

“I served in the Marines from 1984-1988,” said Southern States Bank president, Dennis Elliott. ” Many cities and states do not have parades anymore. We have to remember and honor our veterans, even though they do not expect the recognition.”

Each uniform comes with sacrifice. A sacrifice from a brave individuals who was willing to risk it all for this country.

“I grew up in Belgium,” said Southern States Bank Teller, Chantal Dhondt. “Growing up we had history and the wars were something we talked about a lot. We went on field trips and I actually walked in the trenches that Americans walked in. We went and seen the Menin Gate at the port. There are 54,896 names written on the walls and every evening at 8 p.m. there is a trumpet that plays the last post and people just go and see that and it just gives you goosebumps. It makes you feel sad, honored and happy because we were taught to respect that because they saved us, they really did.”

Sylacauga’s Annual Veterans Day parade is set for Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. The parade will begin in the Sylacauga High School football parking lot. The parade will travel down Broadway, making a turn onto Ft. Williams, take a right turn and travel down Norton and will end in the SHS parking lot.

People attending the parade are encouraged to begin lining the streets at 9:30 a.m.

The parade will be live streamed on the SylacaugaNews.com Facebook page.