Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga. -- For the first time in its 71-year history, the Thomasville Rose Parade, part of the 98th annual Rose Show and Festival in Thomasville, Ga., hosted Marines from Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, April 26.
As thousands of onlookers lined the streets in historic downtown along Broad and Smith Avenues, the utterings of “oohs and ahhs” could be heard as the commanding officer, base sergeant major and color guard walked along the nearly 1.5-mile parade route.
For Sgt.Maj. Johnny Higdon, base sergeant major, MCLB Albany, this opportunity was a dream come true and he said it felt good to return home to the place it all started for him.
“It was a very fulfilling and rewarding experience to represent the Marine Corps in the city where I grew up. As a young kid attending the Rose Show Parade, I would often daydream about being in the parade one day,” Higdon said. “Thanks to the Corps, I was not only able to be a part of the parade, but give young people in attendance the same inspiration that I experienced as a child.”
Col. Alphonso Trimble, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, said he was proud to support Higdon as he returned home to say thanks to his hometown for helping him to be a success.
“He really had a good time and I was honored to share that moment with him,” Trimble said. "It was great to meet some of his family as well."
Parade coordinator Sherri Nix said having the Marines this year was a wonderful addition and she was glad they were able to attend.
Higdon is a native son of Thomasville and a 1989 graduate of Thomasville High School. MCLB Albany marks his first duty assignment in Georgia and he is set to retire in September after 30 years of service in the Marine Corps.
Editor’s Note: Sgt. Joshua Stinson, a Marine Corps recruiter with Permanent Contact Station Thomasville, participated in the parade with the MCLB Albany Marines.