MOUNT VERNON — Despite an early morning storm, the Mount Vernon Memorial Day Parade went off without a hitch Monday. One of the highlights of this year’s parade, said Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis, was a float full of World War II veterans.
“It was a real delight to see the World War II veterans. Some of them were wearing their uniforms,” Mavis said.
Anna Kinnard and Conard “Dude” Conway initially got 22 commitments from veterans of the war that lasted from 1941-45. Because of other commitments and the storm that passed, 17 ended up riding on a wagon supplied by the Knox County Fair Board.
Mavis said they had the veterans loaded on the wagon and ready for the parade when a storm broke out in the city. They got them off the wagon and into shelter until the storm was complete. Then, one of the two antique tractors that were to be used was not running properly, so everyone had to be loaded into one wagon. Through it all, Mavis said, the veterans never complained and really enjoyed being part of the parade.

