Movie convertible to feature in vets parade

A red convertible featured in the 1986 hit movie “Something Wild” will roll in Saturday’s Veterans’ Day parade through downtown Marianna.
Owned by Vann Green, son of Jackson County resident Doyle Green, the Pontiac Catalina is a 1970 model.
Doyle Green is storing the car here for his son, who now lives in Chicago.
The father, a veteran, is a member of the Marianna Elks Lodge 1516. He and other veteran Elks will ride in the car Saturday.
Green said the crew filming scenes for the movie on location in Tallahassee tried to buy the car, but his son declined.
He’d bought it in 1983 and didn’t want to sell, but agreed to lease it to the film company for three months.
The movie was released Nov. 7, 1986, making Saturday the 23rd anniversary of the quirky film, which starred Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels and Ray Liotta.
Doyle Green said he thought his fellow Elks would enjoy using the “celebrity” vehicle to do their part in the parade.
The Veterans Day parade begins at 10 a.m. and will travel down Lafayette Street (U.S. Highway 90).
VFW Ladies Auxiliary 12046 is helping organize the parade, and is asking the public to make the effort to attend.
Auxiliary representative Liz Huber said Friday more parade participants are also needed. Last-minute entries are welcome.
“If someone decides at the last minute, just show up at 8:30 that morning (at the line-up point on Daniels Street) and fill out a registration right then and there,” Huber said. “There’s no fee to be in the parade, and we’d be glad to have everyone.  Right now, it’s looking kind of small, with about 25 or 30 entries, but think it’s an important thing to do, and the community can show its support by getting those vehicles out here and being part of it, or by showing up to watch. We need everybody.”
The parade also offers an opportunity for those who wish to help the deployed soldiers of the 144th Army National Guard Transportation Company
About 75 soldiers of the 144th are now serving in Iraq. The VFW auxiliary has adopted the 144th and will soon be sending them care packages.
A member of the auxiliary will be posted at the gazebo in Confederate Park before, during and immediately after the parade to accept donations of items for the soldiers.
They need unscented personal hygiene items, hard candy, chewing gum, playing cards, pens, notepads and other comfort items. Electrolyte packets — powders that help rehydrate when added to beverages — are also in great demand.
Huber said messages about the parade will be placed in each care package that contains an item donated by a parade watcher or participant.
There are several other events going on this weekend and into next week to honor local veterans.
Also on Saturday, the American Legion Auxiliary 100 will be collecting donations for red crepe paper poppies. Members of the organization will be at Grocery Outlet, Winn Dixie, and Big Lots in Marianna from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations help veterans and their families, and wearing the poppies draws attention to their contributions and sacrifice. Call 482-2788 for more information.
In Sneads Saturday, the American Legion Auxiliary 241 and the American Legion will honor area veterans with a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the post on Legion Road.
Veterans will receive gift bags, and door prizes will be given away. Although the registration deadline has passed, anyone who calls ahead can still come. Setting a registration deadline gave meal preparers a general idea of how much food to cook. Eula Mae Segrest, one of the organizers, said the crew is preparing for about 400.
She said it would help if last-minute guests would call ahead so that the chow line continues flowing smoothly. All veterans and their spouses — or, one guest per veteran — are invited at no cost. To call and alert organizers of who is coming, call 557-3533, 209-4734, 209-0185 or 569-2520.
In addition to these efforts by civic organizations, some local churches have special programs planned to honor veterans.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, Damascus Freewill Baptist Church will have a Veterans Day service honoring military veterans in the morning worship hour at 11 a.m. The church is located at 3700 Kynesville Road.
Also on Sunday, Bethel Baptist Church hosts a special Veterans Day service beginning at 10 a.m., with a patriotic musical program and salute to veterans and active military. Guest speaker is Joe Wood, a former military chaplain. A Harvest Day luncheon follows. The church is located at 1349 Highway 173, just south of the Poplar Springs School.
The special events for veterans aren’t limited to the weekend.
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Sneads High School will have a Veterans Day program in the school auditorium at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow for all veterans and their families.
Also on Tuesday, neighboring Grand Ridge School will have a 9:30 a.m. Veteran’s Day program in its new gymnasium. All veterans, their families and the general public are encouraged to attend. Following the ceremony, brunch will be offered in the media center for veterans and their spouses.
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, St. James A.M.E. Church at 2891 Orange St. in Marianna will host a Veterans’ Day program at 6 p.m.
And finally, the state of Florida itself is making a gesture on behalf of veterans, which will also benefit others who love the state park system.
Day-use entrance to all state parks on Wednesday will be free of charge to everyone, in honor of veterans and active duty military personnel in all branches of service.
All other use fees, such as overnight accommodations, cave tours or special events, will be charged.
For more information about Florida’s state parks, visit http://www.floridastateparks.org. To follow Florida’s state parks on Twitter, visit http://www.twitter.com/FLStateParks.