Korean War vet named grand marshal
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Korean War veteran James C. Kinard Sr. -
James C. Kinard Sr., a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Air Force, will be this year's Memorial Day parade grand marshal in Palatka.
A Korean War veteran of the U.S. Air Force has been named the grand marshal of the annual Memorial Day Parade in Palatka set to begin Monday at 10 a.m.
Two weeks shy of turning 20 years old, James C. Kinard Sr. enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Jan. 10, 1951, and served his country during the Korean War.
This Monday, Kinard, now 92, will be recognized for his service during the parade, which is sponsored by American Legion Bert Hodge Post 45, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3349 and the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Putnam County.
Lineup for the event is set for 9 a.m., where it will begin near the post office, at 1105 St. Johns Ave. and continue down St. Johns Avenue from 11th Street to the riverfront, where a ceremony will be held.
Lester Sheppard, commander of the American Legion Bert Hodge Post 45 in Palatka, said Kinard is a well-respected member of the post, as well as the First Baptist Church of Palatka.
“He is just a real nice guy,” he said. “He’s incredible and was a good choice for parade grand marshal.”
Southwestern Area Commander Jessica Moore, vice commander for the American Legion Department of Florida for 2022-2023 service year, will be the guest speaker at the riverfront.
Members of the host groups will toss red, white and blue flowers into the river during the ceremony.
The Rev. Karl N. Flagg, senior pastor at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church in Palatka, will open and close the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, there will be open houses free to the public at the American Legion Bert Hodge Post 45, 316 Osceola St., and VFW Post 3349, 3201 Reid St.
VFW Post 3349 will also dedicate its war memorial at 12:15 p.m.
Sheppard said Kinard will most likely be toward the front of the parade lineup, probably behind the American Legion float.
Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Unofficially, the day marks the beginning of the summer season.
Although Kinard was born and raised in Jacksonville, he has lived in Satsuma in Putnam County for nearly 17 years.
For Kinard, he can’t help but think of all the men and women who served their country during the Korean War and other conflicts, including a friend who lost his life.
“I remember him from high school,” he said. “He got drafted ahead of me and was trained and was sent to Korea. I think of him a lot and I am honored to be the parade grand marshal because of veterans like him.”
Kinard, as a veteran himself, has special feelings about Memorial Day.
“It means all the good people in the U.S., patriotic people I should say, support one another during war and defend this country so we have a country of freedom to live in today,” he said.
Sheppard, who has been commander at the Bert Hodge since last November, said Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the memories of our fallen brothers and sisters.
“We have a lot of things we can enjoy because of the veterans who lost that right because they are no longer here,” he said. “Everyone should pay respect to the fallen because they gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Sheppard encourages everyone to take a look back and see what they have today and acknowledge what the fallen brothers and sisters gave up fighting for their country.
“Today, we can live the way we live and enjoy the things we enjoy because of it,” he said. “It’s the least we can do for them. It’s a good time to show our respect and honor them on Memorial Day.”